Over the last sixty years, Morocco has reached significant benchmarks for Africa in the World Cup. They were the first nation to secure direct qualification for the finals in Mexico in 1970, then returned in 1986 to become the first African team to advance to the knockout stage, ultimately achieving a remarkable semi-final appearance in Qatar four years ago.
Even if the Atlas Lions do not replicate their 2022 success by losing to France this Thursday, they have already made history as the first African nation 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 closely monitored 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.
“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.”
There is no doubt about the enormity of the challenge awaiting them at Boston Stadium, where they will face the tournament’s most formidable attacking trio – Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, and Ousmane Dembélé.
Ouahbi’s calm demeanor during the intense moments against the Netherlands and Canada exemplifies the tranquility within the team, essential for navigating the pressures of elite competition, according to former Cameroon goalkeeper Joseph-Antoine Bell, who participated in the 1982, 1990, and 1994 World Cups.
“Nobody can play against Morocco at the World Cup and say that they are sure to win,” he states. “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.
“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?”
Ouahbi was appointed by Morocco only in early March but oversaw five friendly matches in preparation and had worked for four years with the under-20s and under-23s. In contrast, Ghana played only twice under Carlos Queiroz before the World Cup, with their captain, Jordan Ayew, candidly acknowledging the challenges in adapting to the Portuguese’s tactics after their elimination by Colombia in the last 32.
“You can’t do that in one month or two months,” he said. “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.”
Queiroz subtly hinted in his farewell message to Ghana that the football association needs to adopt a more professional approach to managing the national team. “The future of the Black Stars will not be built only on the pitch,” he remarked. “Black Stars’ success must start off the field, by creating the best possible environment to prepare, protect and develop Ghana’s extraordinary football talent.”
Senegal’s football federation should heed Queiroz’s timely advice to Ghana, especially after the Lions of Teranga’s World Cup campaign ended in disappointment, losing 3-2 to Belgium despite leading 2-0 in the 86th minute.
Sunday Oliseh, a former captain and head coach of Nigeria and member of FIFA’s technical study group at the last World Cup, understands the heartache of losing a match after leading, having experienced a similar fate in 1994 when Nigeria lost 2-1 to Italy after leading 1-0.
“The only consolation was that we were naive and new to the trade,” he reflects. “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.”
For Bell, who asserts that “football does not begin with footballers” African teams will only reach their World Cup potential when federations prioritize sound governance. “I think we are getting closer and closer to winning a World Cup,” he states. “But if we are serious, we need to have three or four countries in the quarter-finals.” For now, despite Egypt’s commendable performance against Argentina, the Atlas Lions carry that significant responsibility alone.
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