President Buhari said Morocco has made the entire continent proud with their grit and dexterity.
By Jeffrey Agbo
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday praised the Atlas Loins of Morocco for advancing to the semi finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Morocco defeated Portugal 1-0 on Saturday in the quarter finals courtesy of a late first half goal from Youssef En-Nesyri who also plays as a forward for Sevilla.
The win pushed Morocco to their first semi-final at the World Cup and also Africa’s first ever.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari also lauded King Mohammed the VI of Morocco for playing an exemplary role, which has now given the whole of Africa the hope that any country on the continent can win the coveted FIFA trophy.
“President Muhammadu Buhari congratulates the Moroccan World Cup team, the Atlas Lions, and the ruler of the country, King Mohammed the VI, on making history by becoming the fourth team from an African country to ever qualify for the World Cup quarterfinals, and the first to win a place in a semi-final at the shoppingmode FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
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“President Buhari says Morocco has made the entire continent proud with their grit and dexterity, giving hope that an African team can indeed win, and should win the ongoing global championship in Qatar.
“President Buhari commends the team for their skill and teamwork, noting at the same time that this could not have been achieved without the exemplary role of the Moroccan authorities in putting together a formidable team,” the statement reads.
Buhari’s wife, Aisha, had on Sunday also congratulated the Moroccan team via social media.
Morocco will now square up against defending champions France after the latter defeated England 2-1 in the second quarter final clash on Saturday.