Twelve years since Africa had tasted this fascinating sensation. For the first time since the infamous Ghana-Uruguay of 2 July 2010 (1-1, 2-4 tabs), the continent wakes up this Saturday morning animated by a mad hope, with the prospect of falling asleep tonight having, perhaps, for the first once a representative in World Semifinalsof which this 2022 edition brings many promises for the African selections.
After the feat against Spain (0-0, 3-0 on penalties) in the round of 16, it was Morocco who brought the hopes of all of Africa and the Arab world, as evidenced by the many Moroccan flags waving in the Qatar stadiums. From this Senegalese fan whose video caused a stir on social networks to the Emir of Qatar, Tamim ben Hamad Al Thani, everyone is behind the Atlas Lions.
🇲🇦🇸🇳 | Morocco and Senegal the definition of respect for love and brotherhood between the two peoples ❤️😍! pic.twitter.com/TABHKxviQa
— Izem Anass (@Izemanass) December 8, 2022
It is true that the Portugal, opponent of Morocco this Saturday in the quarterfinals (16:00), he made a good impression against Switzerland (6-1) in the round of 16. But the Swiss were weakened, sick for some and lined up in a three-man defense that surprised even the players themselves. While the Seleçao will certainly offer far more percussion than a purring Roja, no offense to Rodri, the rearguard of Morocco, which has only succumbed once in this World Cup and more generally only once in 7 matches since the arrival of Walid Regragui (and was already very solid during the Vahid Halilhodzic era to give Caesar what he is of Caesar), has the means to contain the Portuguese assaults. To sting better against, provided they show more efficiency than Walid Cheddira against the Spaniards. Or hold out until a new penalty by betting on Yassine Bounou’s new saves. Heroic in their way of defending on Tuesday, even if some of them play only on one leg, these Moroccans seem driven by an unfailing desire and generosity.
«We just thwarted some predictions, Xgs and all that Harvard stuff (…), Portugal are the favorites and we are the pebble in the shoe“, Regragui recalled at a press conference on Friday. “We represent the Moroccan people first and then the Arab and African people. We feel all the positive energy emanating from Arab and African supporters.Who better than Morocco to become the first African nation to reach the semi-finals? After all, the Atlas Lions had already become the first African selection in 1986 to qualify for the round of 16 of the World Cup. He was already beating Portugal (3-1), you can’t make this up!
