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DOHA. — Morocco’s success in becoming the first African team to reach the FIFA World Cup semi-finals can “galvanise” the continent, according to one of African football’s top officials.
The Atlas Lions beat Portugal 1-0 on Saturday to make history, and will now face defending champions France in the last four in Qatar tomorrow night (9pm Zimbabwean time).
However, Veron Mosengo-Omba, the general secretary of Confederation of African Football (CAF), says more investment and resources must be made available for other countries to match the achievement by the North Africans.
“Morocco show it is possible for Africa to shortly have more teams in the World Cup semi-final, and even in the final,” Mosengo-Omba told BBC Sport Africa.
“The Moroccan result will, for sure, galvanise the entire continent. But galvanising and dreaming is not enough to grow (the game) and make African football more competitive to win the World Cup.
“It needs concrete actions and long-term efforts.” Although Morocco’s squad contains several foreign-born players, a large part of their success stems from the vast support — both emotional and financial — the team has received from the country’s football federation (FMRF).
Almost uniquely in Africa, the FMRF is prepared to invest huge sums in the country’s national teams, with the US$20million devoted to women’s football over a four-year period a clear example of its aims.
That support helped Morocco reach both its first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final and qualify for the Women’s World Cup earlier this year. The men’s team have been equally helped by the impressive facilities at the Mohamed VI training complex, which is unrivalled on the continent.
“Morocco is an example to follow,” Mosengo-Omba added.
“The government and the federation work hand-in-hand on football development of infrastructures and training programmes.
“Besides, and in addition, CAF and its member associations also need to continue progressing on good governance practices to implement good intentions.” — BBC Sport Africa
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter