After beating Belgium in particular and eliminating Spain, how far can this surprising team from Morocco go?
Morocco is preparing to become the fourth African country to play in a World Cup quarter-final this Saturday, against Portugal. A feat for the band of Walid Regragui, in office for only a few months.
“I totally see Morocco going to the final”
But above all, the Atlas Lions would see themselves mark a little more history: never has an African selection reached the last four of a World Cup. And if ?
Asked by RMC, comedian Gad Elmaleh, who has dual Moroccan nationality, sees even further: “Do you want a prediction for today? In general, it’s only people who don’t know football who offer predictions,” he said.
“I think Morocco will open the scoring fairly quickly in the first half, it will be tense in the second half with a lot of cards. Morocco will win 1-0. But I ask you not to tell anyone about it…! “
A victory that could give us a semi-final against the French team, if the latter manages to dominate England a little later in the evening. A heartbreak for the person concerned? “I would know how to do it. I support Morocco, my country of birth. My mother does not play against my father. I am for Morocco. I totally see them going to the final.”
“I cried”
Whatever happens, the epic of Achraf Hakimi, Romain Saïss, Hakim Ziyech and company is already fabulous. “It’s historic for Morocco, it’s moving. I cried, I sent messages to Bounou, he is an exceptional man”, continues Gad Elmaleh.
“I’m not a football expert, but these players play with their soul. I really like the coach, he’s a friend, we talk. It’s not the time to bother him, but he knows that I support him.
“He has a very interesting history with football, he coached the club of my childhood in Casablanca which I support, Wydad. Yes, it’s surprising, but it’s not the result of chance.
“There is a strength and an energy in this team. There is a form of connection, empathy, emotion, even from other countries and even outside the Arab world.”