By Eniola Olatunji
On Wednesday at 8pm, second semifinals between the Atlas Lions of Morocco and defending Champions, Les Bleus of France will be devoid of reminiscences of the Adonai and the people’s relationship. Adonai is a Hebrew word for Master which France was to Morocco in the days of yore. Morocco was part of France between 1930 when the world cup competitions began and 1954 so they could not politically participate.
Now there is something greater at stake, the world football trophy. France wants to go into the finals to win it back to back like Italy did in 1934 and 1938 and Brazil did in 1958 and 1962. The colonization mentality was deep that Morocco was playing their friendly matches in France like on 16th June 1998 Brazil spanked them 3-0 in Paris and on 23rd June of the same year, Morocco whipped Scotland in Paris.
Morocco was never fully willing to be part of Africa which may make many of their fans across the continent withdraw support and port to France. Jay Jay Okocha has already branded the match an AFCON final because most French players are actually from African. Former French Captain, Zenedine Zidene is said to be from Algeria or Morocco.
Morocco is a symbol of nationalism and patriotism. The country withdrew from the African Union (the Organization of African Union (OAU) because of the Saharawi Republic in the Western Sahara imbroglio. They are still bitter with their perceived enemies in Algeria and Libya. I covered in 1980 at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan on the 13th of March an AFCON match between Algeria and Morocco attended by 20,000 fans with Tunisia’s Ali Dridi as centre Referee at which Lahdar Belloumi scored 90+3 minutes. I recall the Press gallery was full of noise over the violent tackles showing transparent bitterness.
Morocco till now claims to be Arabs. They plays in AFCON, Arab league and Mediterranean cup with countries like Spain, Italy and Portugal hence their development. They are the first African, African, Arab and Muslim nation to ever reach the last four standing.
Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, a former Military General, gave a military salute to Morocco, first for being the 4th team in Africa to ever reach the quarterfinals and secondly the very first African team to ever get to the semifinal.
Hear Buhari: “Morocco made the entire continent proud with their grit and dexterity, giving hope that an African team can indeed win and should win the ongoing global championship in Qatar”.
The story of their Manager, Wahid Regragui who took over last August 31st is both of mockery and glory. The man has become bald headed from his penchant to shave his head in the style they call ‘Gorimapa’ or ‘Molo’ in Nigeria. He was called ‘avocado head’. Even FIFA mocked him on their sight putting his picture in an avocado fruit and displaying it on their site. Wahid needs to see his Lawyer.
Hear Wahid: “We’re becoming the team that everyone loves at this world cup, because we are showing that even if you don’t have as much talent, if you show that desire, heart and belief, you can achieve.
“I’m sure many of you will say this is a miracle, but we’ve won matches without conceding a goal against Belgium, Spain. Portugal and that is the result of hard work.”
My colleague and a former Director in Charge of Sports Broadcast for Radio Nigeria, Dr. Mazi Emeka Odikpo said Morocco plays strict defensive formation against Portugal which worked for them but against France that plays fluid attacking football, it will be another matter.
According to Mazi Emeka, France has the relentless attacking formation that will pose a great danger to the Atlas Lions expressing doubt on the ability of Morocco to absorb the pressure of the French soccer lords.
France ranked 4th appearing the 16th time (first appearance in 1930 when the world cup began) are two times champions in 1998 when they hosted and 2018 in Russia. They were runner-up in 2006; Bronze medalists in 1958 and 1986; 4th in 1982 and 2014 and quarterfinalists in 1938 so they are lords compared to Morocco ranked 22, who are coming to the party for the 6th time with round of 16 in 1986 as best performance.
Both teams have never met at the world cup but had five meetings. In 1988 France won 2-0; in 1998 they played 2-2; France parading Pires, Anelka and Zidene in 1999 could only win 1-0; In 2000 with the Igwe of football, Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka and Zidene France walloped Morocco 5-1 and in 2007 it was 2-2.
Morocco played 5 games winning 4 losing none and making a draw; scored 5 goals and conceded one. It was goalless with Croatia; beat Belgium 2-0; piped Canada 2-1; played goalless with Spain and won via penalty 3-0 in the round of 16 and then eased out Ronaldo’s Portugal by a lone goal. Youssef En-Nesyri headed the historic goal 42nd minute that beat Goalkeeper Diogo Costa from a Yahya Attiat-Allah cross pass.
Morocco is super! The team beat Belgium ranked 2; Spain ranked 7th; and Portugal ranked 9th without conceding a goal. The only goal recorded against Morocco was an own goal in the 2-1 win over Canada. This means the Moroccan defence is solid and impregnable but they are low scoring never getting 3 goals in a match.
France also played 5 matches winning 4 and losing one; scored 11 goals and conceded 5. Australia fell 1-4; Denmark bowed 1-2; Carthage Eagles of Tunisia an African country beat them by a lone goal; Poland with Lewandoski might was subdued 3-1 in the round of 16 while the Three Lions of England with their parade of over hyped stars including Nigeria’s Bukayo Saka nicknamed ‘Ata wewe’ (hot chili pepper) by Nigeria’s football lovers were shocked 2-1.
France could be dangerous with Kylian Mbappe still highest goal scorer with 5 goals and ageless Olivier Giroud sharing 4 goals each with Lionel Messi. Anybody could score in the French squad that missed current Baloon Door winner, Benzema and midfield marshal, due to injury but the French defence looks porous conceding a goal in each match played.
On paper and on the field, France looks like advancing to the final but these miracle Moroccans may shock them too.
Total $440m prize money is on the line from FIFA. The Champion on December 18 will cart home $42m and the runners-up $30m. The Bronze medalist bags $27m; 4th place holder $25m; teams ousted at the Quarterfinals placing 5th to 8th (four of them) will take $17m each; the 8teams of the round of 16, placing 9th to 16th will each pocket $13m costing $104m and other teams that placed 17th to 32nd (16 teams) will take $9m each costing $144m.
The first semifinal comes up on Tuesday at 8pm between Croatia and Argentina.
Eniola Olatunji reporting.
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