Chronicle (Zimbabwe)

SA to support Morocco 2026 W/Cup bid

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SA Football Associatio­n (Safa) president Dr Danny Jordaan has promised Morocco that South Africa will give the North Africans the unqualifie­d support to get another World Cup on the African continent in 2026.

Morocco is vying to stage the world’s biggest football prize along with with Canada, Mexico and USA.

The Moroccan delegation comprised of ex-Senegal and Liverpool striker El Hadji Diouf and former Cameroonia­n goalkeeper Joseph-Antoine Bell.

Dr Jordaan said it will be great for Africa to have a second bite of the Fifa World Cup cherry, adding Morocco’s bid was Africa’s bid.

“It is an old myth that Africa doesn’t have the capacity and naysayers should stop using the political argument. Africa hosted the best Fifa World Cup ever and with good support, Morocco can emulate South Africa,” said the Safa President.

Dr Jordaan assured Morocco that he will personally lobby for Cosafa and the rest of the continent to rally behind the Moroccan bid.

In his remarks, Antoine Bell said Morocco had all the ingredient­s for hosting another spectacula­r Fifa World Cup.

“South Africa showed the way and I am confident Morocco will follow suit. The country has internatio­nal standards; from the stadiums to top infrastruc­ture. Morocco can compete with the best in the world,” he said.

One of the best goalkeeper­s to come out of Africa, Bell said Morocco had put all in their 2026 bid and winning it would not be on sentimenta­l grounds but would be worth it. He said by giving Morocco its support, South Africa’s voice would make all the difference on the continent.

“When South Africa talks on the continent, the rest of the continent listens, hence it is vital for South Africa to support Morocco. South Africa has the experience and Morocco will use this experience to win the 2026 bid,” added Bell.

“Morocco needs South Africa’s voice, it is the loudest voice on the continent,” added the Cameroonia­n. — Supersport

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