Africa expectant as Morocco battles Portugal for semifinal ticket

[FILE] Morocco’s defender #02 Achraf Hakimi (2nd R) celebrates with teammates after converting the last penalty during the penalty shoot-out to win the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 football match between Morocco and Spain at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on December 6, 2022. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)

Morocco, which last Tuesday confirmed Africa’s position as the world’s third best football-playing continent, are at it again. This time, they want to become the first African country to play in the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup. That they will achieve if they beat Portugal in the third quarterfinal game of the ongoing Qatar 2022 World Cup.

The match at the Al Thumama Stadium, Doha, begins by 4.00 p.m. Nigerian time. The Atlas Lions got to this exalted position when they defeated Spain 3-0 via a penalty shoot out in a round of 16 clash last week.

Since that feat, which made them the fourth African country to reach the last eight, pundits have adjusted their view of the North Africans, with some now tipping them to ruffle more features in this competition.

But against a side as formidable as Portugal, the battle will test all goalkeeper Yassin Bounou and his men have in their armoury.

Biounou was the hero on Tuesday when the Lions defied popular predictions to eliminate highly rated Spain. Given the fury with which Portugal have tackled all their opponents so far, Walid Regragui’s side expects a tough fight from Cristiano Ronaldo and his men.

Morocco won Group F with an unbeaten record and have conceded just one goal in their run to the quarterfinals – their best showing in six appearances at the global showpiece.

Looking forward to another hard day in office, Coach Regragui saluted Moroccan fans