Al Khor, Qatar – They got here from far and broad to be a part of historical past: For the primary time, a soccer staff from their continent, Africa, was taking part in in a World Cup semifinal.
“What I’ve witnessed tonight can be with me for the remainder of my life,” mentioned Joseph Kithitu, a physician who travelled from Kenya to Al Khor, a coastal city in northern Qatar, to observe Morocco tackle reigning world champions France on Wednesday.
Regardless of a spirited efficiency that noticed them dominate ball possession and create a string of possibilities, Morocco misplaced 2-0 to targets by France’s Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani.
“Morocco have made me proud. Morocco have made the African continent actually proud,” mentioned Kithitu. “They misplaced tonight however in my eyes they’re winners.”
The achievement of the staff nicknamed the Atlas Lions was not misplaced on the spectators who packed the just about 69,000-capacity Al Bayt Stadium, the overwhelming majority of whom had been Morocco supporters.
The North African facet was solely the third from exterior Europe or South America to succeed in a World Cup semifinal – the primary was the USA on the inaugural World Cup held in Uruguay in 1930, adopted by South Korea on dwelling soil in 2002.
Kithitu, who introduced his son with him to the World Cup in Qatar, mentioned Morocco had proven the world African groups belong to the elite of the sport.
“That we will go toe to toe with any staff, wherever and at any time. Subsequent time, we’ll go all the way in which,” he predicted.
‘African soccer has arrived’
Morocco’s fairytale run was no stroll within the park. Of their opening match, they confronted 2018 runners-up Croatia whom they held to a goalless draw.
The Atlas Lions then bulldozed the Crimson Devils of Belgium, ranked second on the planet pre-tournament. The star-studded Belgium staff, like others all through the match, had been unable to unlock Morocco’s backline and ended up shedding 2-0.
Morocco then made comparatively simple work of Canada, defeating them 2-1, earlier than beating 2010 world champions Spain on penalties within the Spherical of 16.
Within the quarterfinal, Morocco overcame Portugal 1-0 to e-book a date with two-time champions France.
Morocco, additionally the primary staff from an Arab nation to succeed in the final 4, grew to become the twenty fifth facet to compete within the semifinals of the World Cup. All the opposite groups to succeed in the final 4 had reached the semifinal stage earlier than, with France and Argentina having each received the match twice and Croatia coming second within the earlier match in Russia.
“African soccer has arrived. We’re right here and we belong right here. We beat the most important groups in Europe to get right here,” mentioned Zik Tuma, a Ugandan who travelled from Malta for the showpiece.
“The way forward for African soccer could be very shiny. Our soccer future has by no means been higher and extra promising than now. Those that doubted us can now see our achievements,” he added.
“The sky is the restrict.”
His feedback echoed these of Morocco coach Walid Regragui, who mentioned after the December 10 overcome Portugal that Africa was “again on the map of soccer at present”.
“We had the proper perspective for our individuals, for us, for Africa,” Regragui, the primary African coach to take a staff into the World Cup quarter-finals, had advised reporters.
“It’s all the time tough for us African coaches. You don’t suppose we will deal with such groups tactically.”
His well-organised staff’s feats on the pitch got here to crown a collection of spectacular shows by African groups in Qatar: Cameroon grew to become the primary African staff to beat five-time champions Brazil, whereas Senegal overcame the loss to harm of their celebrity ahead Sadio Mane to succeed in the Spherical of 16. Tunisia, in the meantime, held Denmark to a goalless draw and likewise beat France 1-0 within the group stage’s closing match.
Supporter Ali Mohammad, who travelled from Sudan’s capital Khartoum to attend the primary World Cup held within the Center East, mentioned: “Africa deserved this second”.
“I’m very joyful. Now we have been ready for this for a really very long time,” he added. “Sure, Morocco misplaced however not many nations may even dream of their achievement,” Mohammad mentioned, noting that the Atlas Lions’ feat was celebrated throughout the continent.
Following the top of Morocco’s run within the match, African supporters in Al Khor known as on the world soccer’s governing physique, FIFA, to award the continent extra locations within the competitors, which in its 2022 version featured 32 groups.
“Africa is 54 nations and we solely obtain 5 locations. It’s time FIFA modified that. It’s apparent from how Morocco performed and beat all these huge groups that our continent is nearly as good as some other. We have to get our fair proportion of locations,” mentioned Akusa, Tuma’s spouse.
Morocco will now face Croatia on Saturday within the third-place playoff at Khalifa Worldwide Stadium in Doha.
“They’re legends. They’re in our historical past books,” Mohammad mentioned. “They’ll eternally be in our hearts.”