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Are Moroccans Arab or African? Geopolitics, football, and the future of Africa

Are Moroccans Arab or African? Geopolitics, football, and the future of Africa

OPINION PIECE BY RICHARD ALI WHEN Morocco held firm with a 1-0 win over Portugal despite Portugal's dominance in the quarterfinal match at the Qatar World Cup, Africans worldwide roared their approval. An African side had made it to the World Cup semi-finals for the first time. However, a statement by team captain Sofaine Boufal following their round-of-16 win against Spain, acknowledging Muslim and Arab support and ignoring Africa altogether, ignited a virtual riot that touched on one of Africa's most dramatic fault lines—the identity question. Did the Moroccans not see themselves as African? Millions of African supporters said "no"…
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World Cup 2022: From Morocco to Cameroon, African teams claimed new records in Qatar

World Cup 2022: From Morocco to Cameroon, African teams claimed new records in Qatar

JOEL OMOTTO, BIRD STORY AGENCY FOR the first time in history, Africa will be represented in the last four of a World Cup, after Morocco beat Portugal 1-0 in the quarter-final at the Al Thumama stadium in Doha. Before that stunning victory, the Atlas Lions and Senegal made it to the round of 16, making this Africa's best performance at the World Cup since 2014. All the African teams that competed at Qatar 2022 also won at least one match, for the first time in World Cup history. And it was local African coaches that led the five teams. The…
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Morocco at the World Cup: 6 driving forces behind a history-making win

Morocco at the World Cup: 6 driving forces behind a history-making win

HISTORY was made by Morocco, the first African and first Arab team to advance to a semi-final at the men’s football World Cup. The Atlas Lions, endowed with impeccable organisation and defensive will, creative midfield passing, speedy offence and the rousing racket of its fans, broke the elusive World Cup glass ceiling against Portugal to face France in the final four in Qatar. Author WYCLIFFE W. NJORORAI SIMIYU, Professor of Health and Kinesiology, University of Texas at Tyler The sound of the Moroccan fans has become a lifeblood coursing through the first World Cup to be staged in the Arab…
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