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African team to win WC in 15 years – Regragui
Morocco's head coach Walid Regragui (R) gives instructions to Sofyan Amrabat (L) during the FIFA World Cup 2022 group F soccer match between Morocco and Croatia at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, 23 November 2022. EPA/Noushad Thekkayil
Monday Dec 19, 2022. 12:00
Morocco manager Walid Regragui has expressed his belief that an African team will win the World Cup in the next 15 years or sooner.
Regragui and the Atlas Lions were the pride of Africa at Qatar 2022, becoming the first team from the continent to reach the semifinals.
The North Africans may have run out of steam against France and Croatia in the semifinal and third-place playoff respectively, but they nonetheless made history and will surely inspire other teams to follow in their footsteps.
“We wanted to bring joy to our fans but we’re still happy, we’re among the four best teams in the world,” said Regragui, who only took over a few months ago and led Morocco to famous triumphs over the likes of Belgium, Spain and Portugal.
“We provided everyone with a good show, we never gave up. Congratulations to Croatia, they deserve their third place. We are a young team that is still learning.”
The former Wydad Casablanca boss admitted that his team suffered physically in the third-place match after an exhausting effort to reach the final four.
“Sure, I am a little disappointed by this second consecutive defeat but we did everything that we could.
“Physically it was difficult. Our players got tired, it was very intense. We wanted to make the fans more proud than they already were, that’s it.”
The Atlas Lions manager added, “I think we showed our strength, we showed African football is prepared to face the top teams in the world with efficiency and playing at the highest level.
“We probably will only realise what we accomplished in Qatar after four years, in the next World Cup. The pressure will also be greater, there will be expectation around us. It’s natural.
“We produced a great achievement but we want to do it again. It will not be easy but that’s the objective.”
Regragui wants his side’s performance in Qatar to inspire future African teams: “Through experience you get stronger and I hope we learn and grow and build in our children in Africa a football DNA that lasts.
“We have now allowed children to dream, dream of being footballers and going to the World Cup. That is priceless. As for the effect in our country, we have set the bar high.
“I’m sure that in 15 years an African team will win the World Cup.”
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