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Morocco’s foreign-born contingent deliver in Qatar

Morocco’s foreign-born contingent deliver in Qatar

MARK GLEESON MOROCCO’S unexpected march to the World Cup semi-finals can be attributed partly to a policy of deliberately seeking out talent in the Diaspora to strengthen the national team and give them a better chance of success. Fourteen of Morocco’s 26-man squad were born outside the country, more than any other team at the tournament in Qatar, providing an eclectic mix of players from growing migrant communities across Europe who have helped them break new ground. The shock 1-0 quarter-final win over Portugal on Saturday made Morocco the first African and Arab country to reach the last four of…
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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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No major surprises in Tunisia’s World Cup squad

No major surprises in Tunisia’s World Cup squad

TUNISIA has dropped the French-based winger Saif-Eddine Khaoui for the World Cup but coach Jalel Kadri made no other major changes in naming his 26-man selection. Khaoui was chosen in the squad that competed at the World Cup in Russia four years ago and, although infrequently played for Tunisia since, had been expected to be included given his form in Ligue 1 for his club Clermont. A total of 10 players survive from the squad that competed at the last World Cup, where Tunisia were beaten by both Belgium and England but did win their last group game against Panama. Veteran goalkeeper…
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Cameroon’s fortunes a long way off their 1990 heroics

Cameroon’s fortunes a long way off their 1990 heroics

MARK GLEESON CAMEROON'S image as World Cup gatecrashers, capable of taking down top contenders and wreaking havoc, has faded away after two decades of failure at the finals. There will be limited expectations of the Indomitable Lions in Qatar, where they are in a tough group with Brazil, Serbia and Switzerland, after their failure to make any impact since their fabled exploits at Italia '90. That remains their high point as a charismatic side caught the world's imagination with equal measures of trickery and aggression and became the first Africans to reach the last eight. Resplendent in their colourful green,…
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Qatar will host a World Cup but not as we know it

Qatar will host a World Cup but not as we know it

SIMON EVANS NOVEMBER'S World Cup in Qatar will be unlike any other finals that have previously taken place and the logistical challenges facing organisers, from providing enough accommodation to dealing with unruly fans, will only intensify. The Gulf state will host the first World Cup in the Middle East, the first in a Muslim state, and no other tournament has ever been held in the northern hemisphere winter. Qatar, which is roughly the size of Jamaica, is also the smallest state to have held soccer's biggest event, with fans from the 32 competing nations set to watch games at eight…
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