Morocco represent Africa in a way no other nation has
Whatever happens from now until the end of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, this edition of the tournament will forever be remembered on the African continent. Morocco have written themselves into the competition’s history books by becoming the first African nation to make it to the semi-final stage, impressive considering Walid Regragui’s appointment was decided just a few months before the showpiece in Qatar got underway. Since he replaced Vahid Halilhodzic, the Atlas Lions have conceded just a single goal in eight matches, taking the names of Spain and Portugal along the way. This week, Soccer Laduma’s international team looks at the incredible campaign Morocco have had, and dreams of what it could still become.
Morocco make World Cup history!
The 2022 World Cup will be a tournament Africa never forgets, and that is down to Walid Regragui and his Moroccan charges. The Atlas Lions made history in Qatar when Youssef En-Nesyri headed the ball into the back of the Portuguese net to help the North African giants become the first African nation to make it to the semi-finals of a World Cup.
While there has been jubilation, Morocco’s path to the final four has not been an easy one. Under the guidance of previous head coach Vahid Halilhodzic, the side remained a force in African football but played with a rigidity that did not complement a team that did not lack quality in any area of the pitch. Halilhodzic’s reign did, however, lack a lot of stardust as players such as Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech and Bayern Munich fullback Noussair Mazraoui were frozen out of the national team set-up.
That would all change when, three months before the World Cup kicked off, the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Faouzi Lekjaa, would make the drastic decision of firing Halilhodzic and appointing ex-defender-turned-tactician Regragui. The former Wydad Casablanca boss would recall the aforementioned high-profile stars, alongside the likes of Abderrazak Hamdallah, and turn the nation’s fortunes around. Regragui went into the tournament off the back of a three-game unbeaten run, a good way to enter what was arguably the toughest group in the tournament. Despite being drawn alongside Croatia, Belgium and Canada, the Moroccans maneuvered past all those challenges unscathed, managing to top Group F with zero losses.
Since their first match under the 41-year-old’s management, the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations winners have played with a fluidity, combined with defensive solidity, that was non-existent against South Africa and Liberia in the final games of Halilhodzic’s tenure. Morocco are playing in the World Cup like a team with no fear. Their tournament did not get easier entering the knockout stages as they played Spain in the Round of 16. Despite the Spaniards keeping most of the ball in that tie, like many of the teams they had played up until this point, it was Regragui’s men who created the more clear-cut chances and in the end it was them who triumphed and progressed to the competition’s quarter-finals.
Up next were Spain’s Iberian neighbours Portugal as they looked to avenge that loss, but a similar fate would befall them. A Selecao kept 73.2% of the ball but only managed to create three shots on goal, none of which really bothered Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. In the end, it was the goalkeeper’s teammate at both club and international level, En-Nesyri, who would have the definitive say and help Africa qualify for the last four on the world’s biggest stage. The likes of Ziyech and Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi are the obvious main protagonists of this iteration of the Atlas Lions, but plenty others have stepped up to the plate as well. The back five of Bounou, Hakimi, captain Roman Saiss, West Ham United’s Nayef Aguerd and Mazraoui have all played a part in the Moroccans’ success, screened by one of the standout performers of the tournament in Sofyan Amrabat, and it is no wonder that they have conceded only one goal, and that was an own goal. Regragui continues to make history at this World Cup as he dares to dream about the very real possibility of hoisting football’s most coveted prize. Contesting the CAF Champions League final just earlier on this year, the Moroccan is on an unprecedented path to immortality as he paves the way for more African federations to put faith in their own.
Ronaldo leaves Qatar heartbroken
As the final whistle sounded and Morocco collapsed to their knees in celebration, cameras naturally focused on Cristiano Ronaldo as the uniquely harsh reality dawned on him that his long-standing World Cup dream was over. It is highly unlikely that, considering his age, he will get his hands on the illustrious trophy, a prize still widely thought of as the sport’s most prestigious. Ronaldo appeared heartbroken as he made his way down the tunnel, so hurt that he couldn’t find it in himself to congratulate his opponents nor console his teammates. Fortunately for Portugal, the future without their all-time record goalscorer looks promising, with their efforts in Qatar still worthy of admiration despite Saturday’s result. Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and other senior members in the squad were accompanied in the Middle East by some bright young prospects, such as 21-year-old Goncalo Ramos, whose heroics in Portugal’s Round of 16 victory over Switzerland almost guarantee the eventual circling for his signature from Europe’s biggest sharks.
Ronaldo, however, will want this tournament to become a distant memory following the nature in which matters played out. The 37-year-old arrived in Qatar having brought loads of attention on himself after his explosive interview with British broadcaster Piers Morgan, a conversation that eventually resulted in his departure from Manchester United. Perhaps feeling untouchable surrounded by his international colleagues, Ronaldo was taken aback by Fernando Santos’ decision to leave him on the bench for A Selecao’s first knockout clash of the competition, with his coach later revealing that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner had asked him if it was a good idea. Santos stuck to his guns and saw his call pay off, and thus decided to continue without the experienced forward in the starting XI for their quarterfinal clash against the Atlas Lions. Needing a goal after going behind in the first half, Ronaldo was introduced just six minutes after the break but was unable to inspire his nation to a memorable comeback as the football became more desperate.
In an Instagram post released a day after Portugal crashed out, Ronaldo left room for speculation as he stated that the “dream was beautiful while it lasted”, before saying that time will allow people to “draw their own conclusions”. For now, the intention behind the ex-Real Madrid talisman’s words appears unclear, but there is a belief that Ronaldo’s international career as we know it could be coming to an end, for better or for worse. Millions of Portuguese fans will fondly remember his efforts while representing the national team, particularly his inspirational performances as Portugal claimed the 2016 UEFA European Championship title, while others will be enthusiastic about what is to come from the players ready to fill his boots.