Morocco's coach Mohamed Ouahbi celebrates World Cup qualification, Ronald Koeman praises deserving Lions
via Le Matin2 min read
Following Morocco's qualification for the 2026 World Cup after defeating the Netherlands, coach Mohamed Ouahbi expressed his satisfaction with his team's performance. He admitted surprise at the Dutch team's defensive approach, noting their five-defender formation. Ouahbi credited the halftime adjustments made by his staff for their second-half dominance. He believes Morocco now commands global respect due to their consistent on-field performance over several years, viewing the Netherlands' cautious strategy as a sign of this respect. On the Dutch side, Ronald Koeman, former FC Barcelona coach, expressed extreme disappointment over the elimination. Despite criticism for his tactical choices, Koeman defended his five-defender system, stating it was aimed at improving defense and he would make the same decision again. He acknowledged Morocco's quality, stating they are a "high-quality team" that "continued to believe until the end and deserve respect for their qualification." Morocco, now looking ahead to their round of 16 match against Canada, approaches the rest of the tournament with increased confidence, further solidifying their position among the most respected teams globally.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
Must ReadMorocco has qualified for the round of 16 in the 2026 World Cup, eliminating the Netherlands in a thrilling match decided by a penalty shootout. The Atlas Lions, despite dominating much of the game, fell behind after Cody Gakpo scored in the 72nd minute. Mohamed Ouahbi's team secured an equalizer in stoppage time with a header from Issa Diop, assisted by Chemsdine Talbi. The penalty shootout ultimately favored Morocco, with Yassine Bounou making decisive saves and the team demonstrating remarkable composure.
Ahead of the 2026 legislative elections, Morocco is confronting the significant challenge of low voter turnout, with over 16 million eligible citizens abstaining from the last elections. A report by the African Centre for Strategic Studies and Digitalization highlights that this "silent majority" comprises diverse groups, including disillusioned young graduates, residents in remote areas, and those who abstain by deliberate choice. The report, published in June by the Tanger-based center, argues that abstention is a symptom of a progressive weakening of mediation mechanisms between citizens and political parties, rather than a lack of interest in public affairs. In 2021, only 8.8 million out of 25.23 million eligible Moroccan voters participated, a figure masked by the official 50.35% turnout rate calculated only on registered voters. The report emphasizes that when non-voters outnumber the supporters of any party, the election reflects a minority, not a majority. Voter participation has been declining since the 1970s, reaching a low of 37% in 2007 before a rebound to 50.35% in 2021, which the report attributes more to party recomposition than renewed trust. The study identifies three weaknesses undermining the mediation function of parties: fragile internal democracy, vague political identities, and the influence of money and notable figures in candidate selection. Surveys indicate low public trust in political parties 18%, though support for pluralism remains high 68%. Abst
Must ReadMoroccan defender Noussair Mazraoui delivered a stellar performance against the Netherlands at the Estadio BBVA during the 2026 World Cup. Playing on the left flank, Mazraoui effectively neutralized Dutch offensive efforts throughout the 120-minute match. His defensive efforts were crucial to Morocco's qualification, which was secured after a penalty shootout. Mazraoui's statistics from the match include a 92% pass completion rate, 8 out of 10 ground duels won, 5 successful tackles, and 3 decisive interceptions, including a critical save in the box during extra time. This performance follows a strong 2025-2026 season for Mazraoui, who also excelled in the recent Africa Cup of Nations and in earlier World Cup matches against Brazil and Scotland. His versatility, allowing him to switch between defensive duties and intelligent offensive projections, makes him a key player for the Moroccan team. As Morocco prepares to face Canada in the round of sixteen, Mazraoui is seen as a vital component of their defense.