By Eniola Olatunji
Africa strolled gleefully into the Semifinal of the world cup in Qatar on Saturday as the Atlas Lions of Morocco struck down the war horse of Global soccer, Portugal in a lone goal consummation that again made soccer kingpins whose latest victim is world acclaimed Cristiano Ronaldo weep like a baby and Ngugi Wa Thiago of Kenya refused to sing him WEEPNOT CHILD lullaby.
Portugal had been disturbed that an African team may upturn their dream of lifting the trophy that has ever eluded them – the World Cup so they tried the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a pre-world cup encounter winning 4-0 but the world on Saturday saw the dummy the dummy they were sold as Portugal wept without comfort.
Portugal never reached the finals of the world cup with all the arsenal of world class players including Ronaldo and Pepe the oldest player in the quarters who will be 40 years old in January. The best of Portugal had been Bronze in 1966 and 4th placed at Germany 2006 with round of 16 at South Africa 2010 and Russia 2018.
Morocco never went beyond the round of 16 which was their 1986 achievement so Portugal came to Thumama Stadium in Qatar with an academic assumption that Morocco is an over grown baby in football but the baby ‘showed them for as e dey pepper Portugal, e dey sweet Morocco’.
As David used the sword of Goliath to cut of his head so Morocco did through Youssef En-Nesyri who leapt so high like Cristiano Ronaldo to nod in the only goal of the match 42nd minute from a floater off the foot of Yehia Attiyet Allah for Morocco to write their names in letters of Gold for historical documentation. African Legend, Jay Jay Okocha quickly asked all African Leaders to declare public holiday on Monday. Unbelievable Africa is in the Semifinal!
Morocco also adopted the philosophy of the Special one and former Chelsea Coach, Jose Maurinho incidentally from Portugal who gave the world the idea of PARK THE BUS as Morocco used the Portuguese notes to consume them as Lions.
In the process of the Maurinho philosophy, Morocco committed 15 fouls; played 15 goal kicks; allowed 9 corner kicks against them as Portugal sent 32 crosses into their territory thinking aerial passes will disorganize the Lions. If ball possessions could win a match 76% of Portugal and 24% of Morocco would have decided it.
Argentina Ref, 40 year old Facundo Tello who is officiating world cup for the first time in Qatar with the Switzerland versus Cameroon and South Korea versus Portugal matches under him through his face towards Sambisa (a known settlement for terrorists in Nigeria) as the Portuguese swarm all over him severally on grounds of familiarity to get favours including cheap penalties which Tello stoutly turned down.
Portugal’s journey to the quarters started with a 3-2 win over Ghana; slammed Uruguay 2-0 and lost 1- 2 to the Asian Tigers of South Korea before slaughtering Switzerland 6-1 on the day the Mundial had the first man to score a hat trick G. Ramos.
Morocco was not the focus from Africa as the world gazed on Senegal without Sadio Mane but Morocco emerged winners of Group F from a goalless draw with Croatia; whipped Belgium 2-0 and piped Canada 1-0 before facing the LA LIGA crooners of Spain who were ousted on penalties 3-0 after goalless at 120 minutes.
Two times they met before on 11th June at the 1986 world cup where Morocco won 3-1 and also at the Russia 2018 world cup on 20th June where Portugal won 1-0. Sweet revenge same way in 2022, nobody thought Morocco could defeat Portugal within regular time.
With this performance, Morocco will line up against the winner of the 4th quarterfinal between defending champions, Les Bleus of France and the Three Lions of England on Wednesday at 8pm West African Time in the 2nd Semifinal.
On Tuesday at 8pm, the 1st Semifinal between Argentina and Croatia will be played.
Eniola Olatunji reporting.
#FifaworldcupQatar2022.
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