Raja Casablanca Born in
Salé, Zemmama started his professional career when he joined
Raja Casablanca in 2001. He helped the club win the
CAF Confederation Cup in 2003. And the Moroccan
Botola in 2001 and 2004, and also 2
Moroccan Cups in 2002 and 2005, and
Arab Champions League 2006
Hibernian Zemmama joined
Hibernian under freedom of contract in August 2006. A diminutive playmaker, Zemmama made his debut for Hibernian on 12 August 2006 in a 0–0 draw at
Inverness. He was hailed by
manager Tony Mowbray as a new
Russell Latapy and his early performances excited the Hibernian fans. Zemmama scored his first goal for Hibs in a 2–2 draw with
Edinburgh derby rivals
Hearts on 15 October 2006. Zemmama was part of the team that won the
2007 Scottish League Cup Final and featured significantly in both the
2006–07 and
2007–08 seasons. During the later stages of the 2007–08 season, Zemmama broke a bone in his foot after turning awkwardly during training. This injury kept him out of the rest of the season and the start of the
following season.
Transfer dispute In August 2006 it was reported that
Raja Casablanca were disputing the legality of Zemmama's transfer to
Hibernian. Raja stated that the player had signed a contract with them until 2009, which would have precluded him from signing a contract with Hibernian.
Rod Petrie refuted the claim that Zemmama had a contract with Raja. The
Royal Moroccan Football Federation announced on 30 August that they had suspended the player pending an investigation into the transfer.
FIFA stated that the player could continue to be selected for Hibs during the investigation. FIFA then stated that the main allegation – that the international transfer certificate had been forged – was a criminal matter.
Al-Shaab loan During early September 2008, Zemmama was transferred to
Al-Shaab on a season-long loan deal due to personal issues. Zemmama returned to
Edinburgh for the start of the
2009–10 season, however, in the belief that his wife and young son would be allowed to live in
Edinburgh.
Return to Hibernian After returning from the loan to Al-Shaab, Zemmama again became a "key influence" in the Hibs team. He suffered injury problems during the 2009–10 season, however, and was ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering cruciate ligament damage during a match against
Falkirk on 27 March. Zemmama, whose contract with Hibs was due to expire at the end of the 2010–11 season, returned to full training in December.
Middlesbrough Zemmama signed for
Middlesbrough on 31 January 2011. He agreed a contract to the end of the 2013–14 season, having been transferred for a fee reported to be around £200,000. Zemmama scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 win against
Derby County. Zemmama scored in Middlesbrough's League Cup defeat to Crystal Palace. In April 2012, Zemmama scored the winning goal in a match against
Southampton, which kept Middlesbrough's chance of promotion alive. It was reported that Zemmama had refused to travel if he was amongst the substitutes in the final matchday against
Watford; Mowbray subsequently withdrew him from his travelling squad. Zemmama scored his third Boro goal, and his first goal of the 2012–13 campaign on 25 August 2012 against
Crystal Palace with a free-kick which flew past the Palace wall and then beat Julian Speroni. On 25 September 2012, Zemmama scored a 25-yard goal against
Preston North End in the League Cup, in which Middlesbrough progressed to the next round with a 3–1 victory. Middlesbrough and Zemmama parted company by mutual consent on 1 July 2013.
Return to Raja Casablanca On 27 August 2013, Zemmama signed a two-year free-transfer contract for Raja Casablanca. Zemmama was very famous with his number 5 shirt when he was playing in
Moroccan Championship, but this time he chose to get number 55 because his teammate Mouhssine Moutouali is now the one who wears his old number. However, Marouane's journey with his mother club ended up just after one season due to his injuries. Despite playing only a few minutes, Zemmama scored a stunning free-kick and a winning goal away in African champions league. ==International career==