The Morocco national team made global headlines when they defeated Portugal 1-0 in the quarter-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, breaking the jinx of an African nation never going past that round after Cameroon, Senegal and Ghana previously failed to do so.
It was not only a huge feat for Africa but it was also huge for the Arab world with fans from multiple Arab countries present in large numbers in host country Qatar.
The Atlas Lions will take on defending world champions France on Wednesday at Al Bayt Stadium. Le Bleu defeated England 2-1 in their quarter-final and will be expected to go through as favourites. However, considering Morocco have already beaten the likes of Belgium, Spain and Portugal, is there any chance they will do the same against the French?
Lions boss Walid Regragui has won a lot of admirers for his tactical approach in Qatar and as he has been in the past, is optimistic his men can do the needed job once again.
“It’s getting more complicated as it goes on. We are going to play against the champions, with great players and the best coach in the world,” Regragui said at the pre-match press conference.
“We believe we can go through and, why not win the World Cup. We are not tired, I want to make it clear, we are going to run.”
It’s good Morocco have a strong belief in themselves and have the backing of the African continent and the Arab world but that is not enough to go far.
Croatia would have had such strong belief in the earlier semi-final against Argentina on Tuesday but once Lionel Messi netted the opening goal of the match from the penalty spot in the 34th minute, all that belief and motivation evaporated as the Croatians were at sixes and sevens and the Albiceleste added two more goals courtesy of Manchester City rising star Julian Alvarez, for a comfortable 3-0 win.
Morocco need to avoid conceding first against the French. The North African giants have so far not gone behind in any game in Qatar and it has helped them control the narrative. It might not be the same against a Les Bleu side showing a lot of hunger in defending the crown they wore at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow four years ago. A squad that has the joint-top scorer of the current edition, Kylian Mbappe with five goals, recent French all-time top scorer, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele, among other names, Morocco will really have their work cut out.
France boss Didier Deschamps will be well aware of Morocco not falling behind in Qatar and will use that as an opportunity to mount early pressure on their opponents. How Regragui’s men manage to survive such pressure will tell on the direction the game at Al Bayt Stadium goes.
Already, the Moroccans are stretched with key players in defence in Romain Saiss, Nayef Aguerd and Noussair Mazraoui facing fitness issues while Walid Cheddira will miss Wednesday’s clash after getting a second yellow card in the quarter-final against Portugal.
France have no injury or fitness concerns, though there are reports of some players particularly Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano feeling unwell. Even if the duo miss out, Deschamps has enough depth to cover up for any key player’s absence and can call on the likes of Ibrahima Konate and Youssef Fofana as replacements. Such luxury is what Morocco does not have.
The advantage is firmly on the side of the French. They are not similar to the previous opponents Morocco have faced, hence Regragui’s charges have it all to do.
Should they succeed by triumphing over the reigning world champions, the dream of the World Cup trophy coming to Africa will be louder than ever.
