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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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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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