Over the last sixty years, Morocco has reached significant performance milestones for Africa during the World Cup. They became the first African nation to qualify directly for the finals in 1970, and in 1986, they made history again by being the first from the continent to advance to the knockout stage. Their remarkable journey continued with a semi-final appearance in Qatar four years ago.
Even if the Atlas Lions do not replicate their 2022 success by losing to France on Thursday, they have already etched their name in tournament history as the first African team to reach the quarter-finals in consecutive World Cups.
“The main goal before the competition was to reach the quarter-finals, given the context, given the change of manager, with the departure of Walid Regragui and the coming of Mohamed Ouahbi. I think the victory over the Netherlands cemented the reputation of Ouahbi as a trustworthy coach. Many doubts about him were cleared up after that match. “Beating Canada in the way we did, despite having a very difficult first half, has also added to that confidence. You have to be in Casablanca, in Marrakech, in every city and little town, to just measure how happy people are [with the team]. Our Saturday night was crazy – no one slept.”
There is no doubt about the daunting challenge awaiting them in the quarter-finals at Boston Stadium, where they will face the tournament’s most formidable attacking trio: Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, and Ousmane Dembélé.
Ouabhi’s calm demeanor during challenging moments against the Netherlands and Canada reflects the tranquility within the team necessary to handle the pressures of high-level competition. Former Cameroon goalkeeper Joseph-Antoine Bell, a veteran of the 1982, 1990, and 1994 World Cups, shares this sentiment.
“They can be behind in a game but they will never lose their temper, they will never be out of themselves, they focus and keep playing with confidence that their game will lead them to recovery. “This is what happens when a team have solved all their problems … They are able to totally focus on the games they are playing, without thinking about financial or administrative problems. This is a well-prepared team. Sadly, most of our teams in Africa are not operating at this level. When a country [like Ghana] will hire a coach with less than two months [to a World Cup], how do you want them to be ready?”
Ouahbi was appointed by Morocco only in early March but managed five friendlies in preparation and had previously worked for four years with the under-20s and under-23s. In contrast, Ghana played only twice under Carlos Queiroz before the World Cup and their captain, Jordan Ayew, candidly addressed the difficulties in adapting to the Portuguese’s tactics following their elimination by Colombia in the last 32.
“You can’t do that in one month or two months,” he stated. “Football doesn’t work like that. Defensively, we were better. But we fell a bit short offensively, so we have to find the right balance now.”
Queiroz subtly hinted in his farewell message to Ghana about the need for the football association to adopt a more professional approach in managing the national team. “The future of the Black Stars will not be built only on the pitch,” he remarked. “Black Stars’ success must start off the field, by creating the best possible environment to prepare, protect and develop Ghana’s extraordinary football talent.”
Senegal’s football federation should heed Queiroz’s timely advice to Ghana, especially after the Lions of Teranga’s World Cup ended in disappointment, losing 3-2 to Belgium in the last 32 despite leading 2-0 in the 86th minute.
Sunday Oliseh, the former Nigeria captain and head coach, and a member of FIFA’s technical study group at the last World Cup, understands the anguish of losing a match after being in a strong position, having experienced a 2-1 defeat to Italy at the 1994 World Cup despite leading 1-0 from the 25th to the 88th minute.
“The only consolation was that we were naive and new to the trade,” he reflects. “But for it to happen now, with the experience our players in Africa have and knowing how teams close up shop, when they are 1-0 or 2-0 up, it’s worse. Many are blaming the coach but the experienced players should have also taken control.”
For Bell, who emphasizes that “football does not begin with footballers” African teams will finally realize their World Cup potential when federations prioritize good governance. “I think we are getting closer and closer to winning a World Cup,” he believes. “But if we are serious, we need to have three or four countries in the quarter-finals.” For now, despite Egypt’s commendable performance against Argentina, the Atlas Lions carry that heavy burden alone.
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