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CASABLANCA: They could have fallen simply wanting reaching the World Cup last, however Moroccans on Wednesday hailed their crew’s historic run because it ended with a 2-0 defeat to reigning champions France. Regardless of the loss, ruler King Mohammed VI despatched his “heat congratulations” to the entire crew for having “honored the Moroccan folks”, based on the nation’s nationwide information company MAP. The king additionally conveyed a congratulatory message to French President Emmanuel Macron by phone post-match, the information company mentioned.
HH the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah despatched on Thursday a congratulatory cable to Moroccan King Mohammed VI on the historic efficiency of the Moroccan crew on the World Cup, making them the primary Arab/African crew to succeed in the semifinals. HH the Amir praised the Moroccan crew’s excellent efficiency and their excessive spirits as they represented their nation in the very best method, wishing them luck and success in additional worldwide and regional championships. HH the Amir expressed good needs to the King and additional progress to his nation. HH the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah despatched comparable congratulatory cables to the Moroccan King.
“They performed an excellent sport however luck wasn’t on our facet,” mentioned supporter Oussama Abdouh in Casablanca. “Nonetheless, we stood as much as the titleholders, that was nice. Past the World Cup, this crew made us dream till the tip, and only for that, I increase my hat to them.” However for Hakim Salama, the 2-0 defeat to France was an excessive amount of. “We missed the chance of the century,” he mentioned.
Rain lashed the capital Rabat on Wednesday night and the ambiance was removed from the exhilaration of the historic victories that introduced the Lions of the Atlas to close by of a World Cup last – the primary Arab or African crew to ever get thus far. This time, the automotive horns and drummers have been muted.
“The nationwide crew has been performing miracles for the reason that begin of the World Cup,” Rachid Sabbiq, a avenue dealer within the working-class Derb Sultan district of Casablanca, mentioned earlier than the match. “It doesn’t matter whether or not they win or lose – they’ve received the respect and admiration of all Moroccans, and that’s priceless,” he mentioned. Sabbiq had swapped his standard fare of sweets to promote Moroccan flags.
One of many oldest neighborhoods in Casablanca, Derb Sultan was a bastion of resistance towards colonial authorities when the North African kingdom was a French protectorate from 1912 till 1956. It additionally gave rise to certainly one of Morocco’s prime groups, Raja de Casablanca, and is the birthplace of legendary striker Mohamed Jarir (alias “Houmane”), who in 1970 turned the primary Moroccan ever to attain within the World Cup.
“On this neighborhood, we love soccer, so in fact the nationwide crew’s victories make us dream,” mentioned teenager Mohamed Nadifi, a youngster whose idol is winger Sofiane Boufal. Throughout Morocco, retailers have been promoting crew jerseys and flags. “Not solely have the Lions made us completely happy however additionally they allowed us to get enterprise going once more” regardless of tough financial occasions for a lot of Moroccans, mentioned dealer Khalid Alaoui. Touria Matrougui braved chilly and torrential rain to purchase jerseys for her 4 nephews. “They held the Moroccan flag excessive, and for that, we are able to by no means thank them sufficient,” she mentioned.
The crew’s success has additionally received it help far throughout the continent. “Morocco has made a complete continent proud,” mentioned Sidibey Zoumana, from the Ivory Coast, who has lived within the nation since 2018. “I’ve been watching their progress as if it was my very own nation.” From Gaza to Senegal, the crew’s success has reworked the picture of Morocco. “They proved that an African crew can go locations, and actually compete,” mentioned Mentioned Mouhssine, 48, after the match.
For others, the match had a style of politics, coming in the midst of a diplomatic spat between Paris and Rabat over the ever-contentious Western Sahara problem. Some followers have been doubly disenchanted, as nationwide service Royal Air Maroc was pressured to cancel additional flights for followers to Qatar simply hours after asserting them. Different supporters who had already reached the Gulf state have been unable to get tickets they’d been promised. Some accused workers on the Moroccan Soccer Federation of handing out the coveted passes to pals and households. – Companies
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