It was a quite beautiful thing at Education City, which bore witness to a nation-making moment. That was what was symbolised most of all by the victorious Moroccan players bowing in front of their exuberant supporters, a moment of communion.
"When you have a heart, energy and love, you win matches," mastermind head coach Walid Regragui said. And yet there is a complicated truth to the pure joy of Morocco's moment.
Staging this World Cup in Qatar makes it probably the most problematic ever, and it should never have been here. The first hosts in this region should have been Morocco, given their football culture, given how long they wanted it. And yet the geography is part of the history being made.
The Emir of Qatar was at the game and held up the Moroccan flag. He was joined in congratulating Qatar by Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid alMaktoum, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan and Sudan's deputy ruling council head Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
Note the names. Because it is not just Morocco coming together. So is the region. That could be heard in Sofiane Boufal's comments. "Thanks to all the Moroccans all over the world for their support, to all Arab people, to all Muslim people," the forward said. "This win belongs to you." It is something they have long desired, and fully deserve. King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, spoke of how they "blazed a trail".
Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin December 08, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin December 08, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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