Morocco for a new exploit? Wednesday, December 14, “Atlas Lions” face the French team in the semi-finals of the World Cup in Qatar. A symbolic match that goes beyond the framework of sports, given the history that unites the two countries. Morocco has already done well at this World Cup, reaching the semi-final stage of the competition, a first for an African country. Still, Moroccan coach Walid Regragui did not hide his bigger goals at a press conference on Tuesday, December 13: “We want to make it to the final and win. We are ready to do everything to achieve this goal. Tomorrow we will have an extraordinary energy. It does not suit us to say that we are happy to reach the semi-finals. It may be the only chance to win it.“
Mohamed Bouhafsi said on Tuesday that Walid Regragui has relied on several bi-national players to form his squad ahead of the World Cup. RTL : “14. Fourteen Moroccans who will dream of an entire people and were born outside the borders of the kingdom. Achraf Hakimi was born in Madrid and knocked out Spain. Moroccan captain Romain Saïss was born in Bourg-de-Péage in Drôme. Offensive midfielder Sofiane Boufal was born in Paris. These are the benefits of binationality.” Zakaria Abouklhal, Sofyan Amrabat, Hakim Ziyech, Noussair Mazraoui (Netherlands), Munir Mohamedi (Spain), Anass Zazoury, Bilal El-Khannouss, President of Ilias, Selim Amallah (Belgium), Abdelhamid Sabiri (Germany) and Walid Cheddira (Italy) Note that both the other dual nationals of the “Atlas Lions”, Ez Abde, who was born in Morocco, is also a Spanish national, but despite calls from the outskirts of Spain, he chose to represent his country of birth.
While dual nationals were sometimes described as opportunistic by some observers, Mohamed Bouhafsi insisted on highlighting these players:And I can already hear the rumors telling me: “If they pick their nation when they see they can’t play in a so-called big election, that’s not good. “So no! How disrespectful when we see, for example, the heroic journey of Morocco. This unwarranted criticism no longer applies to this new generation. Achraf Hakimi studied at Real Madrid and still chose Morocco.“To emphasize his purpose, Mohamed Bouhafsi reminded that some of the great players playing for the France team were not born in France themselves:”Binationalism also served France. Born in Spain, Luis Fernandez, David Trezeguet in Argentina, Marcel Desailly in Ghana, Samuel Umtiti in Cameroon chose our country when he was born, and thanks to his goal against Belgium, we became World Champions in 2018. To have the freedom to choose, to stray from one’s destiny, and sometimes for the same purpose: to conquer the Holy Grail that brought us together.“
Born in Corbeil-Essonnes, France, Walid Regragui chose to represent Morocco 45 times throughout his acting career, before becoming the head of the “Atlas Lions” just before the World Cup in August 2022:He’s French and Moroccan”, continues Mohamed Bouhafsi. “He has the same dreams as Olivier Giroud with whom he played in Grenoble (summer 2007, editor’s note): Bringing the trophy home! Even if we hope he’ll be in Paris instead…“As a reminder, the match between France and Morocco will be played on Wednesday 14 December at 20:00.
6 – France will face Morocco for the 6th time (3 wins, 2 draws), which is their record against an African team. The Blues had never faced the Atlas Lions in a competitive game before. Date. pic.twitter.com/eb1CQqZafY
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) 10 December 2022
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Source: Programme Television
Joseph Fearn is an entertainment and television aficionado who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for what’s hot in the world of TV, Joseph keeps his readers informed about the latest trends and must-see shows.
