Over the last sixty years, Morocco has marked numerous significant achievements for Africa in World Cup history. They became the first African nation to qualify directly for the tournament, reaching the finals in Mexico in 1970. Their return in 1986 saw them become the first team from the continent to progress to the last 16, followed by an impressive semi-final appearance in Qatar four years ago.
Regardless of the outcome against France on Thursday, the Atlas Lions have already etched their names in history as the first African side to reach the quarter-finals in consecutive World Cups.
“The general feeling, amongst Moroccans, is pride and contentment in this team,” says Amine El Amri, a football journalist based in Casablanca who has been closely monitoring fan sentiments regarding the team’s performance. “The main goal before the competition was to reach the quarter-finals, given the context, given the change of manager, with the departure of Walid Regragui and the coming of Mohamed Ouahbi. I think the victory over the Netherlands cemented the reputation of Ouahbi as a trustworthy coach. Many doubts about him were cleared up after that match. “Beating Canada in the way we did, despite having a very difficult first half, has also added to that confidence. You have to be in Casablanca, in Marrakech, in every city and little town, to just measure how happy people are [with the team]. Our Saturday night was crazy – no one slept.”
El Amri continued, “Nobody can play against Morocco at the World Cup and say that they are sure to win,”
The challenge ahead at Boston Stadium is daunting, as Morocco prepares to face the tournament’s most formidable attacking trio: Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, and Ousmane Dembélé.
Ouahbi’s calmness during challenging moments against the Netherlands and Canada mirrors the tranquility within the team necessary to handle the pressures of top-level competition, according to Joseph-Antoine Bell, a former goalkeeper for Cameroon and a participant in the 1982, 1990, and 1994 World Cups.
“They can be behind in a game but they will never lose their temper, they will never be out of themselves, they focus and keep playing with confidence that their game will lead them to recovery. “This is what happens when a team have solved all their problems … They are able to totally focus on the games they are playing, without thinking about financial or administrative problems. This is a well-prepared team. Sadly, most of our teams in Africa are not operating at this level. When a country [like Ghana] will hire a coach with less than two months [to a World Cup], how do you want them to be ready?” he asserts. “You can’t do that in one month or two months,”
Bell elaborated, “Football doesn’t work like that. Defensively, we were better. But we fell a bit short offensively, so we have to find the right balance now.”
Ouahbi was appointed as Morocco’s coach only in early March, yet he managed five friendly matches in preparation and had previously worked for four years with the under-20s and under-23s. In contrast, Ghana played only twice under Carlos Queiroz leading up to the World Cup, and their captain, Jordan Ayew, candidly spoke about the challenges of adjusting to the Portuguese coach’s tactics after their elimination by Colombia in the last 32.
“The future of the Black Stars will not be built only on the pitch,” Ayew expressed. “Black Stars’ success must start off the field, by creating the best possible environment to prepare, protect and develop Ghana’s extraordinary football talent.”
Queiroz subtly hinted in his farewell message to Ghana about the necessity for the football association to adopt a more professional approach in managing the national team. “The only consolation was that we were naive and new to the trade,” he stated. “But for it to happen now, with the experience our players in Africa have and knowing how teams close up shop, when they are 1-0 or 2-0 up, it’s worse. Many are blaming the coach but the experienced players should have also taken control.”
Senegal’s football federation would do well to heed Queiroz’s timely advice for Ghana, particularly after the Lions of Teranga suffered an avoidable defeat, losing 3-2 to Belgium in the last 32 despite holding a 2-0 lead in the 86th minute.
Sunday Oliseh, the former Nigeria captain and head coach, who also served on Fifa’s technical study group during the last World Cup, understands the heartbreak of losing after leading a match, having experienced a similar fate in 1994 when Nigeria lost 2-1 to Italy despite holding a 1-0 lead from the 25th to the 88th minute.
“football does not begin with footballers” he recalls. “I think we are getting closer and closer to winning a World Cup,”
For Bell, the pathway for African teams to realize their World Cup potential lies in the federations committing to sound governance practices. “But if we are serious, we need to have three or four countries in the quarter-finals.” he remarks. “But if we are serious, we need to have three or four countries in the quarter-finals.” At present, despite Egypt’s commendable performance against Argentina, the Atlas Lions carry that significant burden alone.
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