The team is also the first in Africa to win a place in a semi-final at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
President Muhammadu Buhari, who watched the Nigerian football team, Super Eagles fail in its World Cup bid, has congratulated the Moroccan national team, the Atlas Lions and the ruler of the country, King Mohammed VI, for making history at the ongoing World Cup in Qatar.
In a congratulatory message issued by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, on Monday in Abuja, Buhari lauded the Atlas Lions for becoming the fourth team from an African country to ever qualify for the World Cup quarterfinals.
The team is also the first in Africa to win a place in a semi-final at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
SaharaReporters had in March reported how on Tuesday, March 29, Nigeria drew 1-1 with the Black Stars of Ghana in the return leg of the final round qualifiers for this year’s World Cup and were eliminated on the away goal rule.
Super Eagles’ failure was witnessed by a representative of the number one citizen, Buhari, who had stormed the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja to give support to the team.
Consequently, as soon as the match ended, some of the fans who could not bear the pain of the monumental loss went berserk as they invaded the pitch and vandalised facilities at the stadium.
The players were also not spared as some of the angry fans attempted to attack them physically but were restrained due to the timely intervention of the security personnel on duty.
According to Buhari in the statement on Monday, 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.
Buhari commended the team for their skill and teamwork, saying 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.