Africa Football Discussion Thread || Current discussion: African teams at Qatar.

[Fivestar4everMVP]

Morocco really surprised me
he has beaten teams with a history superior to him and I was also amazed by how he plays, very clean and flawless
Certainly thanks to the international experiences of the players who do amazing things when they return home

Morocco has made an history for Africa, after the world cup Morocco will be recognised as a big team in world cup. If Morocco do not win the World Cup they won't feel  bad  because they have never reached this level before in world cup.

Exactly the same thing a friend of mine was telling me today, Morocco indeed have made their country and also Africa in general proud, as you said, what they've been able to achieve in this year's world have really got everyone in the entire countries of Africa talking, presidents and prominent men from all walks of life have been sending in their congratulatory messages.
Even if they end up not wining the world cup, they indeed have done well, but I still pray they beat France and proceed to the finals, I personally would want to see them try out their luck in the finals, who knows, they might just bring the cup to Africa.

[LUCKMCFLY]

Morocco really surprised me
he has beaten teams with a history superior to him and I was also amazed by how he plays, very clean and flawless
Certainly thanks to the international experiences of the players who do amazing things when they return home

Morocco has made an history for Africa, after the world cup Morocco will be recognised as a big team in world cup. If Morocco do not win the World Cup they won't feel  bad  because they have never reached this level before in world cup.

Exactly the same thing a friend of mine was telling me today, Morocco indeed have made their country and also Africa in general proud, as you said, what they've been able to achieve in this year's world have really got everyone in the entire countries of Africa talking, presidents and prominent men from all walks of life have been sending in their congratulatory messages.
Even if they end up not wining the world cup, they indeed have done well, but I still pray they beat France and proceed to the finals, I personally would want to see them try out their luck in the finals, who knows, they might just bring the cup to Africa.

Africa dreams of its champion, really, personally, of all the African teams, I never thought that Morocco was among the best on the continent, because by pure inspection one always sees Senegal, Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, as the ones that stand out the most, but no, Morocco really is a team that surprises, but when reviewing its players I think I should give a lot of credit to the technical director, because he picked up the best players, those who were in Europe at their best, and he did not hesitate to summon them and I think that when things are done like this without any kind of preferences, you can go a long way, as I have said in other threads, this serves as a lesson for countries like Spain and Portugal where they believe that the technicians are the ones who know the most and They don't put their best players in, this is something I hope they have learned.

Some predictions:

France vs Morocco - World Cup semi-final: Team news, lineups & prediction

France face their former colony Morocco in a World Cup semi-final with an extra edge on Wednesday evening.

Didier Deschamps' side has defied whispers of disharmony, a glut of injuries and the curse of reigning champions to reach the final four, surviving an almighty scare from a spirited England in the quarter-finals.

Morocco - "the team that everyone loves in this World Cup" according to manager Walid Regragui - added Portugal to the list of European scalps they have claimed in Qatar with a marvellously marshalled 1-0 quarter-final triumph.

Source: https://www.90min.com/posts/france-vs-morocco-world-cup-semi-final-team-news-lineups-prediction-14-12-22

Well, everything is ready for either of the two teams, slightly many will lean towards France due to its history, due to player history, but the truth is that I would like the Moroccans to pass.

[Ebede]

Morocco really surprised me
he has beaten teams with a history superior to him and I was also amazed by how he plays, very clean and flawless
Certainly thanks to the international experiences of the players who do amazing things when they return home

It was a shock to everyone who watched the match between Portugal and Morocco because no one have never believed that Morocco with the feet Portugal but in this semi-final which will qualify Morocco to go to final I don't think about France can give that privilege for Morocco to win them because France has noticed the method or the strategies of Morocco which I believe that the match will be tough and it can end up with penalty kick

[GxSTxV]

Today Benzema wrote a message on social media wishing France the best, I don't think he will be available to play in a possible final in 7 days even if the player could play it because he is still present in the list presented before the start of the competition and never removed.

Karim Benzema was withdrawn from the 26man squad players list just days before the tournament began. He left his place to his teammates because of his injury that are not that serious but he believes that someone else can perform better than him and he wishes his national team to win the cup, i see it a reasonable choice to make and a selfless thing to do for your team

[Pokapoka124]

Why people are surprised of Morocco defeatist Portugal it's because of Ronald, and base on Ronald is on bench that is what give Morocco luck to win Portugal but people don't know, because the presences of Ronal would have been a distraction to Morocco, so because of the coach of Portugal won a match without Ronal participating in early or the first time and they defeated and that's why they played without Ronald from the beginning.

Morocco benefited because the Portuguese coach did not make CR7 a starter, many people criticized the line-up choices made by Santos from the start on the Portuguese national team

Morocco is very lucky, but Morocco's next opponent is France, I doubt they will be able to withstand the onslaught of French players

If Ronaldo had played in the first half Morocco would have still won. Ronaldo is not active again,  he plays like a regular play now. Morocco won because they played very well, they didn't win by luck

Yeah I honestly do not think so, If Ronaldo was played along side Rafeal Leao it would have been a different outcome at the end of 90mins. Ronaldo would have been the major target in the game and if he is smart he would be setting confusions for the Moroccan defenders who will be worried about marking Ronaldo and Rafael Leao when they attack. I didn't expect to see Ronaldo sitting on the bench in that game.

[Hyphen(-)]

Today Benzema wrote a message on social media wishing France the best, I don't think he will be available to play in a possible final in 7 days even if the player could play it because he is still present in the list presented before the start of the competition and never removed.

He was left out of the squad a day before the start of the World Cup tournament due to injury; however, after a while, a report showed that he is fit and ready to meet his team mates ahead of the competition's continuation, but France's coach said no.

I was also curious how it would look if France were able to make history by winning back-to-back titles, whether it would count on Benzima's achievement or not due to his absence from all competition matches.

[Desmong]

Morocco really surprised me
he has beaten teams with a history superior to him and I was also amazed by how he plays, very clean and flawless
Certainly thanks to the international experiences of the players who do amazing things when they return home

This is why football most time is not that predictable and we should learn from this. Discrimination is what could kill a man and we are already seeing it. I hope to see Morocco in the final match is which going to be a dream come through. The match is going to be very tactical and more of luck this time not by the mere efforts that is put into the match.

[rby]

Morocco really surprised me
he has beaten teams with a history superior to him and I was also amazed by how he plays, very clean and flawless
Certainly thanks to the international experiences of the players who do amazing things when they return home

This is why football most time is not that predictable and we should learn from this. Discrimination is what could kill a man and we are already seeing it. I hope to see Morocco in the final match is which going to be a dream come through. The match is going to be very tactical and more of luck this time not by the mere efforts that is put into the match.

When they say that football is unpredictable I will think that they are talking about club football, it is this world cup that made me to really understand what the statement of football being unpredictable means.
Almost every matches in this world cup came with surprises from the group stages even up till now, even tomorrow there is going to be another surprise. This is indeed what cup of surprises.

[Newlifebtc]

Morocco really surprised me
he has beaten teams with a history superior to him and I was also amazed by how he plays, very clean and flawless
Certainly thanks to the international experiences of the players who do amazing things when they return home

This is why football most time is not that predictable and we should learn from this. Discrimination is what could kill a man and we are already seeing it. I hope to see Morocco in the final match is which going to be a dream come through. The match is going to be very tactical and more of luck this time not by the mere efforts that is put into the match.

Right from time football never be predictable because I have a notice that many people who is predicting the FIFA world cup this time is ending up of having drunk prediction because off the countries they believe or they think that will work well in the tournament but those countries failed and those unexpected the ones are the ones that is being perfectly well in this tournament

[hashrateproducts]

Morocco really surprised me
he has beaten teams with a history superior to him and I was also amazed by how he plays, very clean and flawless
Certainly thanks to the international experiences of the players who do amazing things when they return home

This is really true because Morocco has amazed everybody since this world cup started,they have been playing really well and are actually making Africans proud with their playing pattern and the way they've been able to knock out big teams like Portugal and the rest.It is indeed a thing of Joy to see an African country reach this far in the world cup,and they might end up surprising everybody the more by winning France.If they are able to win France,it will take them to the final and one might just begin to imagine them win the world cup. I wish them the best of luck.

I like how you guys are happy that Morocco actually went through being one of the underdogs coming into the competition, fighting all their way to the semi-final being the first African country to achieve it. I think this alone has given Africa 11 slots in the next world cup if I got it correctly. If they get knocked out at this stage it's already a big win for them. Beating France will not be very easy but anything can happen.

[swogerino]

Morocco really surprised me
he has beaten teams with a history superior to him and I was also amazed by how he plays, very clean and flawless
Certainly thanks to the international experiences of the players who do amazing things when they return home

This is why football most time is not that predictable and we should learn from this. Discrimination is what could kill a man and we are already seeing it. I hope to see Morocco in the final match is which going to be a dream come through. The match is going to be very tactical and more of luck this time not by the mere efforts that is put into the match.

When they say that football is unpredictable I will think that they are talking about club football, it is this world cup that made me to really understand what the statement of football being unpredictable means.
Almost every matches in this world cup came with surprises from the group stages even up till now, even tomorrow there is going to be another surprise. This is indeed what cup of surprises.

This is without a doubt the weirdest of all world cups,it had the biggest number of upsets where a lot of people lost a lot of money and yes football is unpredictable,it was verified in full this statement during this world cup.I think Morocco is the greatest surprise of this world cup and they are the first African team in the semi finals of a world cup.They are facing France which is the heavy favorite but Morocco also has the best defense so it will be an enjoyable game to watch,I think that Morocco will try to defend and bring the game to penalties while France will attack heavily.

[Newlifebtc]

Morocco really surprised me
he has beaten teams with a history superior to him and I was also amazed by how he plays, very clean and flawless
Certainly thanks to the international experiences of the players who do amazing things when they return home

This is really true because Morocco has amazed everybody since this world cup started,they have been playing really well and are actually making Africans proud with their playing pattern and the way they've been able to knock out big teams like Portugal and the rest.It is indeed a thing of Joy to see an African country reach this far in the world cup,and they might end up surprising everybody the more by winning France.If they are able to win France,it will take them to the final and one might just begin to imagine them win the world cup. I wish them the best of luck.

I like how you guys are happy that Morocco, actually went through being one of the underdogs coming into the competition, fighting all their way to the semi-final being the first African country to achieve it. I think this alone has given Africa 11 slots in the next world cup if I got it correctly. If they get knocked out at this stage it's already a big win for them. Beating France will not be very easy but anything can happen.

Some people are not in for sizing or talking of Morocco because of Morocco is from African country is based on the people who they found in Portugal team but after which Portugal still use the match so is something that made people to be surprised and being interested in Morocco because no one expected Morocco to perform such a way that miracle will be the people that will send c Ronaldo group home or not to qualify to go to final so it is unbelievable

[Masplanc]

Morocco really surprised me
he has beaten teams with a history superior to him and I was also amazed by how he plays, very clean and flawless
Certainly thanks to the international experiences of the players who do amazing things when they return home

This is really true because Morocco has amazed everybody since this world cup started,they have been playing really well and are actually making Africans proud with their playing pattern and the way they've been able to knock out big teams like Portugal and the rest.It is indeed a thing of Joy to see an African country reach this far in the world cup,and they might end up surprising everybody the more by winning France.If they are able to win France,it will take them to the final and one might just begin to imagine them win the world cup. I wish them the best of luck.

I like how you guys are happy that Morocco actually went through being one of the underdogs coming into the competition, fighting all their way to the semi-final being the first African country to achieve it. I think this alone has given Africa 11 slots in the next world cup if I got it correctly. If they get knocked out at this stage it's already a big win for them. Beating France will not be very easy but anything can happen.

At this stage it is a win for Morocco,  they don't need to get to the final stage . Morocco defeating Portugal was the biggest win for Morocco,  despite Ronaldo is get of age he still remains threat to opponents.

[minime0105]

Morocco really surprised me
he has beaten teams with a history superior to him and I was also amazed by how he plays, very clean and flawless
Certainly thanks to the international experiences of the players who do amazing things when they return home

This is really true because Morocco has amazed everybody since this world cup started,they have been playing really well and are actually making Africans proud with their playing pattern and the way they've been able to knock out big teams like Portugal and the rest.It is indeed a thing of Joy to see an African country reach this far in the world cup,and they might end up surprising everybody the more by winning France.If they are able to win France,it will take them to the final and one might just begin to imagine them win the world cup. I wish them the best of luck.

I like how you guys are happy that Morocco actually went through being one of the underdogs coming into the competition, fighting all their way to the semi-final being the first African country to achieve it. I think this alone has given Africa 11 slots in the next world cup if I got it correctly. If they get knocked out at this stage it's already a big win for them. Beating France will not be very easy but anything can happen.

At this stage it is a win for Morocco,  they don't need to get to the final stage . Morocco defeating Portugal was the biggest win for Morocco,  despite Ronaldo is get of age he still remains threat to opponents.

4 Morocco to defeat Portugal it is a mistake I come from their coach so if Morocco fill reluctant because of the defeated Portugal and use the same method to play with France, I believe that France will you press them the way that everybody will be surprised because I no do that Morocco does not have a strong players compared to France but them defeating France a good attack with people who is goal scorers in France

[snipie]

I already suggested adding Morocco goalkeeper Bounou to the poll since he is the national hero of the Moroccan team. His move to give the reward to the last match to En-Nesyri was a nice one.
BTW can we add Belgium in red to the map, like that once France is conquered it will be a reddish map from moron to Belgium
Obviously the game vs France will not be easy and hopefully Morocco will win it.

And of course, everyone who does know Bounou will know his team is one of the biggest bedshitters in La Liga (and that's after luring everyone into thinking they were title contenders last season). And so far this season his team is in the relegation zone, so man, he cannot possibly be considered for the prize outside international football.

Strange he wasn't in the poll, he won golden gloves in Spain 2 seasons ago...

I don't disagree he's a great performer in this tournament, but let us remember they have only played 5 games in this world cup. A league's 38 seasonal games, plus Europe and cup ties is a better estimate of prowess (though it should be added he has 1 goal and 2 assists in the last couple of seasons).

When I remember poor Navas getting 7 goals against Spain, I said how unfortunate he was when he has a bad teammates like those.
When the defensive strategy is a failure, the goalkeeper cannot help that much. I mean he can save a goal or two in every match, save more goals in some games but he will not be able to stop everything the defenders let go through them.

[Iranus]

I already suggested adding Morocco goalkeeper Bounou to the poll since he is the national hero of the Moroccan team. His move to give the reward to the last match to En-Nesyri was a nice one.
BTW can we add Belgium in red to the map, like that once France is conquered it will be a reddish map from moron to Belgium
Obviously the game vs France will not be easy and hopefully Morocco will win it.

And of course, everyone who does know Bounou will know his team is one of the biggest bedshitters in La Liga (and that's after luring everyone into thinking they were title contenders last season). And so far this season his team is in the relegation zone, so man, he cannot possibly be considered for the prize outside international football.
Strange he wasn't in the poll, he won golden gloves in Spain 2 seasons ago...
I don't disagree he's a great performer in this tournament, but let us remember they have only played 5 games in this world cup. A league's 38 seasonal games, plus Europe and cup ties is a better estimate of prowess (though it should be added he has 1 goal and 2 assists in the last couple of seasons).

When I remember poor Navas getting 7 goals against Spain, I said how unfortunate he was when he has a bad teammates like those.
When the defensive strategy is a failure, the goalkeeper cannot help that much. I mean he can save a goal or two in every match, save more goals in some games but he will not be able to stop everything the defenders let go through them.

Costa Rica was not a strong team. And because of their lack of match strategy, they conceded 7 goals to teams like Spain. Spain is a strong team, but they don't have a strong attack to score 7 goals. They managed it only because of Costa Rica's poor match tactics. Costa Rica's performance against Spain was very poor. They can't play well. We saw Spain's dominance throughout the match. The Spanish players controlled the match. But Spain could not dominate in any subsequent match. Spain's first and last win in this World Cup was against Costa Rica.

[Sithara007]

4 Morocco to defeat Portugal it is a mistake I come from their coach so if Morocco fill reluctant because of the defeated Portugal and use the same method to play with France, I believe that France will you press them the way that everybody will be surprised because I no do that Morocco does not have a strong players compared to France but them defeating France a good attack with people who is goal scorers in France

France is a more balanced team when compared with Portugal. They have a well balanced attack, with Kylian Mbappé, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembélé sharing the workload among themselves. On the other hand, Portugal was heavily dependent on Ronaldo (and the coach Fernando Santos made the mistake by benching him for most of the time). Younger players such as João Félix and Rafael Leão were unable to relieve the pressure on Cristiano Ronaldo, and this allowed the Moroccan team to tie down the Portuguese attack. The same tactic won't work against France.

[Ludmilla_rose1995]

4 Morocco to defeat Portugal it is a mistake I come from their coach so if Morocco fill reluctant because of the defeated Portugal and use the same method to play with France, I believe that France will you press them the way that everybody will be surprised because I no do that Morocco does not have a strong players compared to France but them defeating France a good attack with people who is goal scorers in France

France is a more balanced team when compared with Portugal. They have a well balanced attack, with Kylian Mbappé, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembélé sharing the workload among themselves. On the other hand, Portugal was heavily dependent on Ronaldo (and the coach Fernando Santos made the mistake by benching him for most of the time). Younger players such as João Félix and Rafael Leão were unable to relieve the pressure on Cristiano Ronaldo, and this allowed the Moroccan team to tie down the Portuguese attack. The same tactic won't work against France.

griezmann is a very active midfielder, I saw in several France matches he became the man of the match. Besides that, Francis also has 3 extraordinary strikers, so the chances for Morocco to win are very small. The experience of the players on the front lines and also in the middle of France to destroy a team's strong defense is not in doubt. Regragui is a very good coach, he is able to read all the strategies his opponent is running, Morocco is lucky to have him, what strategy will Regragui make against France!!

[Davidvictorson]

France is a more balanced team when compared with Portugal. They have a well balanced attack, with Kylian Mbappé, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembélé sharing the workload among themselves. On the other hand, Portugal was heavily dependent on Ronaldo (and the coach Fernando Santos made the mistake by benching him for most of the time). Younger players such as João Félix and Rafael Leão were unable to relieve the pressure on Cristiano Ronaldo, and this allowed the Moroccan team to tie down the Portuguese attack. The same tactic won't work against France.

I agree with your take. The France Morrocco match will be a very tough one for both teams. However, do not forget that Morroco already beat Belgium, Spain and Portugal in this tournament. These European countries are know for their football prowess just like France. I firmly believe that they have what it takes to go head-to-head with France. The concern I have right now is that the game will go into extra time and then the winner will be decided in a penalty shoot-out. Rooting for Morrocco.

[buwaytress]

When I remember poor Navas getting 7 goals against Spain, I said how unfortunate he was when he has a bad teammates like those.
When the defensive strategy is a failure, the goalkeeper cannot help that much. I mean he can save a goal or two in every match, save more goals in some games but he will not be able to stop everything the defenders let go through them.

Agreed, and that's again why I say we cannot look at a small sample size like World Cup with just 5 games. League performance is much better. I mean, Liverpool has lost to Villa, letting in 7 goals, but that was also an outlier and doesn't mean neither that Alisson sucked or his defenders did.

I don't like to use stats also because weaker teams will let in more shots, so a goalie can seem heroic for stopping 10 shots but most goalies will keep out 10/10 when kept on their toes, it's actually those keepers that stop 1 shot an entire game that's impressive. The concentration you must have to do nothing for 80 minutes and then suddenly be forced to make 1 save, that's what the big bucks are for!