The Atlas Lions on the verge

African football is heading in the direction where; only those that invest with a developmental mindset will reap the bounties accruable to such an approach.

Morocco are leading the way on the African continent with respect to investing in the future of the game with a triangular approach to football development. The Triangular approach involves; investment in infrastructure, talent identification and human capital investment. Over the last five years or so; this has been the plan of the Moroccan football authorities; they have built some of the finest centres of excellence across the country to develop the next generation of footballers.

They have expanded their scouting and talent identification drag net to spot players of Moroccan descent all over the world; that may be willing to play for the national team. Crucially they also have adequately funded the training of their coaches across all levels.

Whilst some would say the appointment of Walid Regragui was a gamble; he had however just won the CAF Champions League for Wydad Casablanca just a few months ago. However, that is not the story; a few years ago a list of young Moroccan coaches was circulated on Social Media showing some of the World’s elite coaches that they were to follow, study and adopt their style; Walid Regragui was one of the coaches on that list.

The country is reaping these fruits bountifully; just look at how Morocco has somewhat dominated African football in the last year. Morocco are champions of the continent in club football on two fronts, Finalist at the African Women’s Nations Cup; FAR Rabat Ladies are Champions of the CAF Women’s Champions League, only a matter of time before the Men’s team win Africa’s biggest prize in the form of the AFCON.

Morocco have been a delight to watch; combining great attacking play with solid defensive organization. They have shown little respect to their so-called more illustrious counterparts. The Atlas Lions have played with a hunger and desire that is unusual to any previous Moroccan side from their recent history.

The Atlas lions are historically recorded breakers and pacesetters; they were the first African team to make it into the 2nd round of the World Cup in 1986. In 2022; they now aim to go where no other African team has been before; the Semi-finals. Ghana were a penalty and a shootout away from the Semis in 2010; this Moroccan side have shown that they have the desired mental toughness to get the job done.

If you are a fan of good omens or a believer in De Ja Vu, Morocco defeated Portugal in 1986 to achieve the record-breaking feat of landing in the second round; now in 2022; Portugal also stand in their way of breaking another record in this instance. What or Who is to say Walid Regragui and his band of Moroccan merry men won’t achieve this great feat? This is Africa’s time and a time for the previously asleep Atlas Lions to roar their way back to where they belong.

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