Watch Moroccan festivities around the world 1:04
(Reuters) --
Moroccan fans erupted with joy on Saturday as their team became the first African country to reach a World Cup semi-final, filling the stadium with a deafening roar and unleashing cheers, tears, dancing and songs in the streets of his country.
“They made us happy and we feel proud;
They showed that they can reach the final.
Why not?
We are very proud of this team that has the support of Africa and the Arabs,” said Siham Motahir, a young woman in Rabat, where the cafes filled with fans to watch the match.
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The 1-0 win over Portugal is Morocco's third over a highly-ranked European team so far in the tournament, a run that has caused joy across the country and generated widespread support across the African continent and the world. Arab.
African Union Chairman Macky Sall wrote on Twitter, using all capital letters to emphasize his enthusiasm: “HISTORIC!
AND FANTASTIC!
THE ATLAS LIONS ARE CLASSIFIED TO THE SEMIFINALS OF THE WORLD CUP!
BRAVO MOROCCO.”
HISTORY!
IT'S FANTASTIC!
THE LIONS OF THE ATLAS ARE QUALIFIED IN DEMI FINALE OF THE COUPE DU MONDE!
BRAVO LE MAROC.
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— Macky Sall (@Macky_Sall) December 10, 2022
In an Abidjan cafe where people watched the game and drank beer to celebrate the victory, customer Jules Goule said the Ivorians were proud of Morocco's victory.
“Through Morocco, Africa has just shown that it can compete with other continents in soccer,” he said.
“Waoh, waoh… Morocco!
It is with great joy!
Africa shines!
Let's go Africa!” shouted Agwe Jefferson, 28, a driver in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon.
As the game progressed, Morocco fans chanted "Ole, ole, ole!"
in unison, drowning out the handful of Portuguese fans and whistling every time Portugal took possession of the ball.
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Behind the two goals, groups of Moroccan fans were on their feet throughout the game with drummers and fan leaders coordinating the chants.
A man wearing the red and green of the Moroccan national flag and his soccer team raised their hands in supplication as the final minutes ticked by, shouting “Oh God, oh God.”
In the media box, a security guard shouting triumph embraced a Moroccan journalist who was crying with happiness.
As Moroccan player Jawad El Yamiq circled the pitch with a flag draped over his shoulders, one fan stood motionless, staring at the pitch with his hands over his mouth as if unable to take in the magnitude of the victory.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal after missing a goal this Saturday against Morocco (Thanassis Stavrakis/AP)
In Rabat too, joyful fans filled the streets, with people rushing to the city center square where Morocco's victories are celebrated.
“The last few minutes felt like hours,” said one fan, Samir Saqri, as he joined the crowd pouring out of the cafe where they had watched the game to head downtown.
"Morocco is showing that African teams can compete at a high level," he added.
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