Online Reporter
A 1-1 draw with Brazil at a FIFA World Cup would have been something that Morocco and their fans would have celebrated in the streets from Rabat to Casablanca, 40, 20, and even eight years ago.
But times for the Atlas Lions have changed. So when manager Mohammed Ouahbi finally returned to his team’s locker room after the match, he was met with a muted reception.
“I’m satisfied with this because when I went back to the locker room, no one was happy, chanting,” he said. “This match was high-level. Everyone knew about it.”
With a plethora of stars plying their trade in Europe, ranging from Paris Saint-Germain co-captain Achraf Hakimi, the marauding defender Noussair Mazraoui of Manchester United, to the talismanic forward Brahim Diaz of Real Madrid, they have become the jewel of African football.
They became the first African country to reach the World Cup semifinals in 2022, pushing France to the limit in the semifinals before falling to Croatia in the third-place match.
Even with Walid Regraui — the manager who led Morocco to that magical semifinal run four years ago in Qatar — quitting just three months before this World Cup on American shores, expectations are still sky-high under Ouahbi.
Saturday’s result at New York-New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) against five-time winners Brazil only hammers that home.
Morocco was the better team in the first half, taking a lead in the 21st minute when Ismael Saibari got on the end of a perfect through ball from Diaz, and chipped Brazilian keeper Alisson with ease.
They were denied all three points by a moment of brilliance from Vinicius Jr, the Real Madrid superstar who curled an equalizer in the 32nd minute.
Again, less than a decade ago, this would have been a famous result. Now? A decent start to what is expected to be a deep run.
“I can’t really explain it, frankly speaking,” Ouhabi said. “I’m proud of my players, I’m proud of how we responded. What we came up with in the way of football. Obviously, we could’ve gone for the victory here, but we have to accept reality as it is here. One point is good; we’ll soldier on.”
Meanwhile, Ghana’s government has called for a review of what it describes as a “high-handed and extremely unfair” decision by Canada to ban midfielder Thomas Partey from entering the country.
The former Arsenal player had his visa application refused and will miss Ghana’s opening FIFA World Cup match against Panama in Toronto on Wednesday.
Partey, 32, has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022.
He is due to stand trial next year.
A statement from the Ghana government said it is “pursuing active diplomatic engagements” with Canadian officials and hopes to reverse the decision.
It read: “The decision is understood to be based on pending criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom that have not resulted in any conviction.
“The government of Ghana reaffirms the fundamental legal principle of the presumption of innocence, a cornerstone of justice.”
The government said it will “explore and pursue all available remedies to ensure full and fair considera-tion of all factual issues”.
On the Canadian government website, rules on visiting the country state: “If you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada.”
Partey remains at Ghana’s training base in Boston.
A US Customs and Border Protection official said: “The US is aware of the pending court case for Mr Partey.
“However, at this time he has not been convicted of a crime and was admitted to the United States after being issued a visa.”
Before the tournament Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz said he had no qualms over selecting Partey, who joined Arsenal in 2020.
He moved to Villarreal in August after being released at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Ghana play England at Boston Stadium, Foxborough, on June 23 and Croatia on June 27 — both games in which Partey could feature.
Ghana could return to Canada in the last 32 if they finish as runners-up in Group L. — BBC Sport.
