Morocco head coach Walid Regragui said Africa is back on the football map following the Atlas Lions’ history-making 1-0 victory over Portugal at the 2022 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals.
Youssef En-Nesyri’s powerful header towards the end of the first half at Al Thumama Stadium was enough to give the Moroccans the win that made them become the first African team to make it to semi-finals of the mundial.
The historic moment sent shockwaves across not only the African continent but the Arab world as well, and Regragui owes that to his team having the right mentality and attitude.
Africa is back on the map of football today,” the former Wydad Casablanca manager said.
“We had the mentality. We knew we could make history for Africa.
“We had the right attitude for our people, for us, for Africa. It is always difficult for us African coaches. You don’t think we can handle such teams tactically.”
Morocco have gone past the likes of Croatia, Belgium, Spain and now Portugal and will face defending world champions France for a place in the final at Lusail Stadium on December 18.
Regragui asserts the achievement is down to hard work and not a miracle as others might think. He compares the wild support the Atlas Lions are getting across the African continent and Arab world to Rocky Balboa, the underdog boxing character played by Sylvester Stalon in the 1976 Hollywood blockbuster ‘Rocky’ who defeats many tough opponents en route becoming world heavyweight champion.
“We are becoming a team everyone loves because we are showing what we can achieve,” Regragui said.
“If you show the passion, heart and belief, you can succeed and my players have shown that. It is not a miracle – those in Europe might say it is, but we have beaten Portugal, Spain, Belgium and drawn against Croatia without conceding. That is the result of hard work.
“African and Arab teams work hard but we have made our people happy and proud. The whole continent is proud. When you watch Rocky Balboa, you want to support him and we are the Rocky of this World Cup.”
Morocco’s semi-final clash with France will take place at Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday evening.
