RABAT, Morocco – Tens of thousands of Moroccans welcomed the Atlas Lions as heroes on Tuesday as they returned to Rabat after an incredible run that took them to the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup™ in Qatar, an unprecedented feat for an African or Arab team.
A dense, joyful crowd of all ages and backgrounds gathered at the end of the afternoon along the route taken by the red double-decker bus where Walid Regragui’s men were perched, from the airport to the avenues from the center of the Moroccan capital.
“I came to celebrate the beautiful history of Morocco in the World Cup, and even if some decisions of the referees were not fair,” said AFP Adam Najah, 27, a restaurant waiter who came expressly from Meknes. , more than 150 km from Rabat, to “live this historic day”.
“I am proud of the national team. Who knows? We will win the cup maybe next time, ”he hopes.
Waiting for hours, many supporters wore the flag and scarlet jerseys of the Cherifian kingdom. In front of the station, they cracked smoke bombs amid the shouting, according to AFP journalists.
The entire team, which made all of Morocco dream and beyond its borders, was to be received in the evening by King Mohammed VI for “a welcoming and celebration ceremony in recognition of his historic achievement”.
