Morocco has been a source of joy for the masses watching the Qatar 2022 Fifa World Cup around the world. They have taken us all on a tremendous journey that has seen them topple some of the best football has to offer in their search for World Cup glory.
The North Africans have been unified in their efforts and have showed that a unit beats a collection of superstars.
They strangled favorites Spain and knocked out Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, winning the hearts of many along the way.
They have an intoxicating mix of world class superstars and underrated gems which gel together to form this vibrant team.
They have showed tactical intelligence, patience and heart during this Whirlwind tournament. Some of their stars are now on the verge of transfers to huge clubs due to their success in Qatar.
Africans were let down because the two most exciting African talents were not at the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup, Mohammed Salah and Sadio Mane.
Mohammed Salah did not feature in the World Cup due to Egypts failure to qualify, Sadio Mane and Senegal qualified but he got injured just before the tournament got underway in what must have been a devastating blow to both nation and player.
But Morocco have represented the continent superbly and now find themselves in contention for a bronze medal at the World Cup, a feat no African nation has achieved.
They have made it this far as a team, as a unit, here are key members of that unit, crucial to their success.
6. Yassine Bounou
Yassine Bonou is a 31 year old Morrocan goal keeper who currently plies his trade for Sevilla. The shot stopper was a part of the Atletico Madrid youth setup and was at the club for 6 years, going out on loan to Real Zaragoza in the Spanish second division.
He was signed by Girona in 2016 and would be a part of the club for 3 years before suffering relegation in 2019 with them. He was loaned out to sevilla as a second choice goalie.
He impressed in the Europa League that season and propelled sevilla to a Europa League win which no doubt led the club to offer him a 4 year extension the very next year.
He has shown his talents in the European competitions in the past, but now he has really put the world on notice with his calm and assertive performances.
He currently has the joint highest clean sheet alongside Jordan Pickford and Emiliano Martinez who all stand at 3.
Emiliano Martinez might edge him for the goalkeeper of the tournament award because he reached the final, but yassine bonou’s impact will not be forgotten.
Rumours have spread with Spanish media outlets speculating that sevilla has placed a 30 Million price tag on him with Bayern Munich and Aston Villa patiently waiting.
5. Sofyan Amraabat
Sofyan Amrabaat has been one of the standout midfielders of the tournament with his hard work, tackling and intensity setting the pace for Morocco.
The 26 year old is just entering his prime and demonstrated that to damaging effect in Qatar 2022.
In his brief career he has represented multiple prestigious clubs in multiple countries, Utretch, Feyernoord, Club Brugge, Hellas Verona and Fiorentina.
He currently plays his football for Fiorentina and is a key cog in their machine.
His masterfull performances have put him on the front of every top managers list as he finds himself wanted by giants like Barcelona, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham.
He has stated his intent to only focus on Fiorentina as he says thinking of any transfer would be disrespectful to his club.
4. Azzedine Ounahi
Azzedine Ounahi has been one of the top young breakout stars of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup as he has continued to dazzle and impress on the grandes stage of them all.
The 22 year old midfielder currently plays for Angers FC in the French Ligue one and has tripled his stock with his performances in the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The chairman of Angers has said his phone has not stopped ringing with inquiries since the World Cup started
He has stunned the football world with his grace, technique and ability leaving to coahes like Jose Mourinho and Luis Enrique stunned by his genius. Mourinho had this to say about him.
“They have individuals. Bounou was brilliant for them during the competition and in this game was the same. Amrabat, I know him from Italian football, very good player but their No.8, the young boy that plays in France in Angers, Ounahi was absolutely incredible. So, they have players, a coach and an incredible spirit.”
He is already rumoured to be wanted by Barcelona, Liverpool and Leicester.
3. Hachim Ziyech
Ziyech has always been known for his insane talent on the ball when it came to the attacking phase of play. His vision, composure, dribbling and technique made him a lethal weapon and as a defender your worst nightmare.
He could ping an extremely accurate cross field pass and switch the attack, he could beat you and progress towards goal dangerously, he could execute a perfect cross bound to wreak havoc in the box.
His defensive abilities were often questioned by the media. He was not playing regularly for Chelsea and also retired from international football during the reign of former Morroco boss Vahid Halilhodžić.
Under the new regime he has been welcome with open arms and has found a new level to his game. His defensive contribution is ludicrous, its amazing that this is the same player who was often called lazy.
His coach explained exactly what was going on with Ziyech. “people talk about Ziyech as a difficult guy to work with, but I see it differently. When you give him love and confidence, he will die for you,” Regragui said. “This is what I give him and he repays me on the pitch.”
With his impressive performance in Qatar its hard to see him sit on the bench for much longer, if chelsea don’t value him, certainly many others do.
2. Achraf Hachimi
Achraf Hakimi is one of the best in the world in his position.
At just 24, Hakimi has made 60 appearances for Morocco’s senior team. He is on track to break the appearance record of 115 currently held by Noureddine Naybet.
He was an interesting package from a very young age and was scouted by Real Madrid. Hakimi would go on to join Europe’s most successful club at the age of eight, one of the hardest places in world football to make it to the first team.
Hakimi once could have represented Spain instead of Morocco, he explains his decision to choose The Atlas Lions. “My culture is Moroccan. At home, we spoke and ate Moroccan and I am a practising Muslim. Honestly, I didn’t have to think about it so much,” he said to L’Equipe. “I used to watch Morocco matches and my father would always tell me about legendary players of the past.”
He has been a source of inspiration for his team with his spectacular penalty and overall robustness during this tournament.
1. Walid Regragui
Perhaps one of the biggest winners from this Qatar 2022 World Cup is the Moroccan coach Walid Regragui.
He was a former Morrocan footballer who played in the right back position in his playing career. After he retired he turned to coaching and secured a job with Faith union sport which is a Moroccan team.
He had his big break when he was hired by Wydad which is a popular Moroccan team. He went on to win the CAF Championshi[p with them and remains only the second Moroccan manager to win the African Champions League.
Regragui is a master tactician and has shown tactical acumen that superceedes his level of experience.
Many criticised the playing style of the Moroccans, especially the Spanish after they were knocked out, the Moroccan coach has given his thoughts on those criticism.
We’ll play the way we know how. How possession makes you dream so much! 70% possession to shoot twice on goal?,”.
“We are here to win, not to have possession. If they give it to us then fine, and we’ll do whatever it takes not to get beat. I don’t think they will let us have possession. Manchester City have 70%, but have you seen the players they have? With Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva you’re going to retain the ball.
“They talk about tiki-taka, when you have players who can do that it’s fine. I know that the Europeans criticise our game. We have to win for Africa, for the countries that are evolving. Look at France against England, less possession but they won.
Regragui will be hoping to lead this golden generation to gold in the next few years as he clearly knows how to motivate and weaponize these players, a lot of investment has gone into facilitating this circumstance.
If Regragui chooses to coach on the club side of things, there are definitely elite suitors waiting eagerly for his signature.
