The nationwide crew made historical past on this yr’s FIFA World Cup after beating elite groups Belgium, Portugal and Spain.
Morocco’s nationwide soccer crew have acquired a hero’s welcome upon their return residence after carrying out the seemingly not possible feat of ending fourth on the World Cup in Qatar.
After their aircraft touched down on Tuesday, the gamers rode an open-top bus by the main avenues of the capital, Rabat. With flares, chants and flags, hundreds of Moroccans turned out to greet the gamers, who injected new power into African and Arab soccer.
Underdogs Morocco, referred to as the Atlas Lions, conquered hearts with their never-say-die perspective and made historical past as one of many huge success tales of this yr’s event.
Morocco defeated elite groups, beating second-ranked Belgium, gorgeous 2010 champions Spain in a penalty shootout within the final 16, and persevering with their spectacular run with a 1-0 win towards 2016 European champions Portugal, earlier than stumbling towards the defending champions France. Alongside the way in which, the Atlas Lions grew to become the primary African and Arab nation to achieve a World Cup semifinal.
The gamers’ record-setting efficiency earned them a particular celebration by followers, as police stood guard within the streets of Rabat. Large crowds lined the streets and the remainder of the North African kingdom for the homecoming.
Al Jazeera’s Nicolas Haque, reporting from Rabat, described an “ocean of pink and inexperienced” greeting the nationwide crew.
“The folks of Morocco are roaring to welcome the Atlas Lions. There may be a lot delight. I used to be within the crowd earlier and I met individuals who got here all the way in which from Holland to witness this second. Kids, households, ladies, grandparents coming right here to witness this second collectively,” Haque stated.
“There’s such a stage of communion that this crew has delivered to Morocco. Because the bus strikes slowly in the direction of the palace of the king, you’ll be able to see crowds of individuals operating behind the bus.”
The royal courtroom stated on Monday that King Mohammed VI would obtain the crew on the palace in Rabat “to have fun their nice and historic accomplishment”.
The crew completed fourth within the competitors after dropping to Croatia 1-2 within the third-place playoff on Saturday, exceeding the expectations of most Moroccans.
“This crew has introduced a lot pleasure, not solely to the folks of Morocco, but in addition to Africans, the Arab world and to thousands and thousands of Moroccans who dwell overseas. This crew of 11 gamers, most of them are twin nationals. And there’s delight in being acquired like this by their nation of origin,” Haque stated.
The Moroccan crew charmed many Arab soccer followers who noticed within the crew a mirrored image of themselves. Gamers waved the Palestinian flag after their wins and celebrated on the sphere with their moms and kids.
The crew additionally galvanised help throughout Africa.
“If somebody had instructed me earlier than the event that we’d play seven matches in Qatar, we’d have been pleased,” Morocco coach Walid Regragui instructed BeIN Sports activities.
“All Moroccan, African and Arab folks have seen how this crew fought and wished to make the nation pleased … We are going to attempt to return after 4 years,” added the 47-year-old coach, who solely took cost in August.