\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"FIBA
Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"FIBA
Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

For instance, Madagascar basketball national team coach Angel Manzano faced huge challenges when he was installed as the coach in 2011. Sadly, ten years later, those challenges he mentioned still persist. These include the lack of essentials like uniforms, courts, and other equipment. Luckily, some players get sponsorship to join big teams in the NBA league. Some African American basketball players also scout for Africans who they sponsor to professional basketball abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"FIBA
Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Slow development in almost every sector is taking its toll on basketball in Africa. The biggest challenges African basketball is facing are the lack of proper funding and poor management. Poor infrastructure, low player remuneration, and political stability are pushing African talents to western countries. Notwithstanding, most teams in Africa are defying the odds to promote their talented players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Madagascar basketball national team coach Angel Manzano faced huge challenges when he was installed as the coach in 2011. Sadly, ten years later, those challenges he mentioned still persist. These include the lack of essentials like uniforms, courts, and other equipment. Luckily, some players get sponsorship to join big teams in the NBA league. Some African American basketball players also scout for Africans who they sponsor to professional basketball abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"FIBA
Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slow development in almost every sector is taking its toll on basketball in Africa. The biggest challenges African basketball is facing are the lack of proper funding and poor management. Poor infrastructure, low player remuneration, and political stability are pushing African talents to western countries. Notwithstanding, most teams in Africa are defying the odds to promote their talented players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Madagascar basketball national team coach Angel Manzano faced huge challenges when he was installed as the coach in 2011. Sadly, ten years later, those challenges he mentioned still persist. These include the lack of essentials like uniforms, courts, and other equipment. Luckily, some players get sponsorship to join big teams in the NBA league. Some African American basketball players also scout for Africans who they sponsor to professional basketball abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"FIBA
Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Challenges Facing African Basketball<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slow development in almost every sector is taking its toll on basketball in Africa. The biggest challenges African basketball is facing are the lack of proper funding and poor management. Poor infrastructure, low player remuneration, and political stability are pushing African talents to western countries. Notwithstanding, most teams in Africa are defying the odds to promote their talented players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Madagascar basketball national team coach Angel Manzano faced huge challenges when he was installed as the coach in 2011. Sadly, ten years later, those challenges he mentioned still persist. These include the lack of essentials like uniforms, courts, and other equipment. Luckily, some players get sponsorship to join big teams in the NBA league. Some African American basketball players also scout for Africans who they sponsor to professional basketball abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"FIBA
Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Cote d'Ivoire's national basketball team (Les \u00c9l\u00e9phants) displayed tremendous skills in the last decade. They have been active in AfroBasket championships with a world cup fixture debut in 2010. A major milestone for the team was the qualification for the 2019 FIBA championships after a tough tiebreaker with Mozambique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges Facing African Basketball<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slow development in almost every sector is taking its toll on basketball in Africa. The biggest challenges African basketball is facing are the lack of proper funding and poor management. Poor infrastructure, low player remuneration, and political stability are pushing African talents to western countries. Notwithstanding, most teams in Africa are defying the odds to promote their talented players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Madagascar basketball national team coach Angel Manzano faced huge challenges when he was installed as the coach in 2011. Sadly, ten years later, those challenges he mentioned still persist. These include the lack of essentials like uniforms, courts, and other equipment. Luckily, some players get sponsorship to join big teams in the NBA league. Some African American basketball players also scout for Africans who they sponsor to professional basketball abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"FIBA
Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

#5 \u2013 Cote d'Ivoire<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cote d'Ivoire's national basketball team (Les \u00c9l\u00e9phants) displayed tremendous skills in the last decade. They have been active in AfroBasket championships with a world cup fixture debut in 2010. A major milestone for the team was the qualification for the 2019 FIBA championships after a tough tiebreaker with Mozambique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges Facing African Basketball<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slow development in almost every sector is taking its toll on basketball in Africa. The biggest challenges African basketball is facing are the lack of proper funding and poor management. Poor infrastructure, low player remuneration, and political stability are pushing African talents to western countries. Notwithstanding, most teams in Africa are defying the odds to promote their talented players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Madagascar basketball national team coach Angel Manzano faced huge challenges when he was installed as the coach in 2011. Sadly, ten years later, those challenges he mentioned still persist. These include the lack of essentials like uniforms, courts, and other equipment. Luckily, some players get sponsorship to join big teams in the NBA league. Some African American basketball players also scout for Africans who they sponsor to professional basketball abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"FIBA
Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Senegal is one of the most consistent African basketball team since 2011 in FIBA African championships and AfroBasket. However, they did not play in any Olympic games in the last decade. Their last international match was in the 1980 summer Olympics games in Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5 \u2013 Cote d'Ivoire<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cote d'Ivoire's national basketball team (Les \u00c9l\u00e9phants) displayed tremendous skills in the last decade. They have been active in AfroBasket championships with a world cup fixture debut in 2010. A major milestone for the team was the qualification for the 2019 FIBA championships after a tough tiebreaker with Mozambique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges Facing African Basketball<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slow development in almost every sector is taking its toll on basketball in Africa. The biggest challenges African basketball is facing are the lack of proper funding and poor management. Poor infrastructure, low player remuneration, and political stability are pushing African talents to western countries. Notwithstanding, most teams in Africa are defying the odds to promote their talented players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Madagascar basketball national team coach Angel Manzano faced huge challenges when he was installed as the coach in 2011. Sadly, ten years later, those challenges he mentioned still persist. These include the lack of essentials like uniforms, courts, and other equipment. Luckily, some players get sponsorship to join big teams in the NBA league. Some African American basketball players also scout for Africans who they sponsor to professional basketball abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"FIBA
Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

#4 \u2013 Senegal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Senegal is one of the most consistent African basketball team since 2011 in FIBA African championships and AfroBasket. However, they did not play in any Olympic games in the last decade. Their last international match was in the 1980 summer Olympics games in Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5 \u2013 Cote d'Ivoire<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cote d'Ivoire's national basketball team (Les \u00c9l\u00e9phants) displayed tremendous skills in the last decade. They have been active in AfroBasket championships with a world cup fixture debut in 2010. A major milestone for the team was the qualification for the 2019 FIBA championships after a tough tiebreaker with Mozambique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges Facing African Basketball<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slow development in almost every sector is taking its toll on basketball in Africa. The biggest challenges African basketball is facing are the lack of proper funding and poor management. Poor infrastructure, low player remuneration, and political stability are pushing African talents to western countries. Notwithstanding, most teams in Africa are defying the odds to promote their talented players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Madagascar basketball national team coach Angel Manzano faced huge challenges when he was installed as the coach in 2011. Sadly, ten years later, those challenges he mentioned still persist. These include the lack of essentials like uniforms, courts, and other equipment. Luckily, some players get sponsorship to join big teams in the NBA league. Some African American basketball players also scout for Africans who they sponsor to professional basketball abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"FIBA
Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Angola was phenomenal in the last decade making it one of the top 5 African basketball team. They played in the FIBA world cup in 2014 for the first time after qualifying by winning in 2013 AfroBasket. They have also played in various international competitions and won 11 out of 16 championships with the most recent in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4 \u2013 Senegal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Senegal is one of the most consistent African basketball team since 2011 in FIBA African championships and AfroBasket. However, they did not play in any Olympic games in the last decade. Their last international match was in the 1980 summer Olympics games in Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5 \u2013 Cote d'Ivoire<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cote d'Ivoire's national basketball team (Les \u00c9l\u00e9phants) displayed tremendous skills in the last decade. They have been active in AfroBasket championships with a world cup fixture debut in 2010. A major milestone for the team was the qualification for the 2019 FIBA championships after a tough tiebreaker with Mozambique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges Facing African Basketball<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slow development in almost every sector is taking its toll on basketball in Africa. The biggest challenges African basketball is facing are the lack of proper funding and poor management. Poor infrastructure, low player remuneration, and political stability are pushing African talents to western countries. Notwithstanding, most teams in Africa are defying the odds to promote their talented players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Madagascar basketball national team coach Angel Manzano faced huge challenges when he was installed as the coach in 2011. Sadly, ten years later, those challenges he mentioned still persist. These include the lack of essentials like uniforms, courts, and other equipment. Luckily, some players get sponsorship to join big teams in the NBA league. Some African American basketball players also scout for Africans who they sponsor to professional basketball abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"FIBA
Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

#3 \u2013 Angola<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Angola was phenomenal in the last decade making it one of the top 5 African basketball team. They played in the FIBA world cup in 2014 for the first time after qualifying by winning in 2013 AfroBasket. They have also played in various international competitions and won 11 out of 16 championships with the most recent in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4 \u2013 Senegal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Senegal is one of the most consistent African basketball team since 2011 in FIBA African championships and AfroBasket. However, they did not play in any Olympic games in the last decade. Their last international match was in the 1980 summer Olympics games in Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5 \u2013 Cote d'Ivoire<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cote d'Ivoire's national basketball team (Les \u00c9l\u00e9phants) displayed tremendous skills in the last decade. They have been active in AfroBasket championships with a world cup fixture debut in 2010. A major milestone for the team was the qualification for the 2019 FIBA championships after a tough tiebreaker with Mozambique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges Facing African Basketball<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slow development in almost every sector is taking its toll on basketball in Africa. The biggest challenges African basketball is facing are the lack of proper funding and poor management. Poor infrastructure, low player remuneration, and political stability are pushing African talents to western countries. Notwithstanding, most teams in Africa are defying the odds to promote their talented players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Madagascar basketball national team coach Angel Manzano faced huge challenges when he was installed as the coach in 2011. Sadly, ten years later, those challenges he mentioned still persist. These include the lack of essentials like uniforms, courts, and other equipment. Luckily, some players get sponsorship to join big teams in the NBA league. Some African American basketball players also scout for Africans who they sponsor to professional basketball abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"FIBA
Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Match standings from 2010 show that Nigeria\u2019s national team (D\u2019Tigers) is a top African basketball team. In the 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 seasons, they won all games but lost 1 game in 2014-2015 and 2016-2017 games in AfroBasket tournaments. They also qualified for the world cup and 2020 summer Olympics which will happen between 24th<\/sup> July to 8th<\/sup> August 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3 \u2013 Angola<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Angola was phenomenal in the last decade making it one of the top 5 African basketball team. They played in the FIBA world cup in 2014 for the first time after qualifying by winning in 2013 AfroBasket. They have also played in various international competitions and won 11 out of 16 championships with the most recent in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4 \u2013 Senegal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Senegal is one of the most consistent African basketball team since 2011 in FIBA African championships and AfroBasket. However, they did not play in any Olympic games in the last decade. Their last international match was in the 1980 summer Olympics games in Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5 \u2013 Cote d'Ivoire<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cote d'Ivoire's national basketball team (Les \u00c9l\u00e9phants) displayed tremendous skills in the last decade. They have been active in AfroBasket championships with a world cup fixture debut in 2010. A major milestone for the team was the qualification for the 2019 FIBA championships after a tough tiebreaker with Mozambique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges Facing African Basketball<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slow development in almost every sector is taking its toll on basketball in Africa. The biggest challenges African basketball is facing are the lack of proper funding and poor management. Poor infrastructure, low player remuneration, and political stability are pushing African talents to western countries. Notwithstanding, most teams in Africa are defying the odds to promote their talented players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Madagascar basketball national team coach Angel Manzano faced huge challenges when he was installed as the coach in 2011. Sadly, ten years later, those challenges he mentioned still persist. These include the lack of essentials like uniforms, courts, and other equipment. Luckily, some players get sponsorship to join big teams in the NBA league. Some African American basketball players also scout for Africans who they sponsor to professional basketball abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"FIBA
Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

#2 \u2013 Nigeria<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Match standings from 2010 show that Nigeria\u2019s national team (D\u2019Tigers) is a top African basketball team. In the 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 seasons, they won all games but lost 1 game in 2014-2015 and 2016-2017 games in AfroBasket tournaments. They also qualified for the world cup and 2020 summer Olympics which will happen between 24th<\/sup> July to 8th<\/sup> August 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3 \u2013 Angola<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Angola was phenomenal in the last decade making it one of the top 5 African basketball team. They played in the FIBA world cup in 2014 for the first time after qualifying by winning in 2013 AfroBasket. They have also played in various international competitions and won 11 out of 16 championships with the most recent in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4 \u2013 Senegal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Senegal is one of the most consistent African basketball team since 2011 in FIBA African championships and AfroBasket. However, they did not play in any Olympic games in the last decade. Their last international match was in the 1980 summer Olympics games in Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5 \u2013 Cote d'Ivoire<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cote d'Ivoire's national basketball team (Les \u00c9l\u00e9phants) displayed tremendous skills in the last decade. They have been active in AfroBasket championships with a world cup fixture debut in 2010. A major milestone for the team was the qualification for the 2019 FIBA championships after a tough tiebreaker with Mozambique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges Facing African Basketball<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slow development in almost every sector is taking its toll on basketball in Africa. The biggest challenges African basketball is facing are the lack of proper funding and poor management. Poor infrastructure, low player remuneration, and political stability are pushing African talents to western countries. Notwithstanding, most teams in Africa are defying the odds to promote their talented players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Madagascar basketball national team coach Angel Manzano faced huge challenges when he was installed as the coach in 2011. Sadly, ten years later, those challenges he mentioned still persist. These include the lack of essentials like uniforms, courts, and other equipment. Luckily, some players get sponsorship to join big teams in the NBA league. Some African American basketball players also scout for Africans who they sponsor to professional basketball abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"FIBA
Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Tunisia's national basketball team has won multiple tournaments in AfroBasket, FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers, and World Cups\/Olympics. In AfroBasket tournaments, they haven\u2019t lost a single game since 2010. Also, they won 6 times in the world cup qualifiers but lost twice in the 2019 world cup games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2 \u2013 Nigeria<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Match standings from 2010 show that Nigeria\u2019s national team (D\u2019Tigers) is a top African basketball team. In the 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 seasons, they won all games but lost 1 game in 2014-2015 and 2016-2017 games in AfroBasket tournaments. They also qualified for the world cup and 2020 summer Olympics which will happen between 24th<\/sup> July to 8th<\/sup> August 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3 \u2013 Angola<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Angola was phenomenal in the last decade making it one of the top 5 African basketball team. They played in the FIBA world cup in 2014 for the first time after qualifying by winning in 2013 AfroBasket. They have also played in various international competitions and won 11 out of 16 championships with the most recent in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4 \u2013 Senegal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Senegal is one of the most consistent African basketball team since 2011 in FIBA African championships and AfroBasket. However, they did not play in any Olympic games in the last decade. Their last international match was in the 1980 summer Olympics games in Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5 \u2013 Cote d'Ivoire<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cote d'Ivoire's national basketball team (Les \u00c9l\u00e9phants) displayed tremendous skills in the last decade. They have been active in AfroBasket championships with a world cup fixture debut in 2010. A major milestone for the team was the qualification for the 2019 FIBA championships after a tough tiebreaker with Mozambique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges Facing African Basketball<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slow development in almost every sector is taking its toll on basketball in Africa. The biggest challenges African basketball is facing are the lack of proper funding and poor management. Poor infrastructure, low player remuneration, and political stability are pushing African talents to western countries. Notwithstanding, most teams in Africa are defying the odds to promote their talented players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Madagascar basketball national team coach Angel Manzano faced huge challenges when he was installed as the coach in 2011. Sadly, ten years later, those challenges he mentioned still persist. These include the lack of essentials like uniforms, courts, and other equipment. Luckily, some players get sponsorship to join big teams in the NBA league. Some African American basketball players also scout for Africans who they sponsor to professional basketball abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"FIBA
Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

#1 \u2013 Tunisia <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tunisia's national basketball team has won multiple tournaments in AfroBasket, FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers, and World Cups\/Olympics. In AfroBasket tournaments, they haven\u2019t lost a single game since 2010. Also, they won 6 times in the world cup qualifiers but lost twice in the 2019 world cup games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2 \u2013 Nigeria<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Match standings from 2010 show that Nigeria\u2019s national team (D\u2019Tigers) is a top African basketball team. In the 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 seasons, they won all games but lost 1 game in 2014-2015 and 2016-2017 games in AfroBasket tournaments. They also qualified for the world cup and 2020 summer Olympics which will happen between 24th<\/sup> July to 8th<\/sup> August 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3 \u2013 Angola<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Angola was phenomenal in the last decade making it one of the top 5 African basketball team. They played in the FIBA world cup in 2014 for the first time after qualifying by winning in 2013 AfroBasket. They have also played in various international competitions and won 11 out of 16 championships with the most recent in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4 \u2013 Senegal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Senegal is one of the most consistent African basketball team since 2011 in FIBA African championships and AfroBasket. However, they did not play in any Olympic games in the last decade. Their last international match was in the 1980 summer Olympics games in Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5 \u2013 Cote d'Ivoire<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cote d'Ivoire's national basketball team (Les \u00c9l\u00e9phants) displayed tremendous skills in the last decade. They have been active in AfroBasket championships with a world cup fixture debut in 2010. A major milestone for the team was the qualification for the 2019 FIBA championships after a tough tiebreaker with Mozambique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges Facing African Basketball<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slow development in almost every sector is taking its toll on basketball in Africa. The biggest challenges African basketball is facing are the lack of proper funding and poor management. Poor infrastructure, low player remuneration, and political stability are pushing African talents to western countries. Notwithstanding, most teams in Africa are defying the odds to promote their talented players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Madagascar basketball national team coach Angel Manzano faced huge challenges when he was installed as the coach in 2011. Sadly, ten years later, those challenges he mentioned still persist. These include the lack of essentials like uniforms, courts, and other equipment. Luckily, some players get sponsorship to join big teams in the NBA league. Some African American basketball players also scout for Africans who they sponsor to professional basketball abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"FIBA
Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Basketball teams across Africa have gone head-to-head to secure trophies and defend their positions. Also, most tournaments keep you at the edge of your seat. The reason is simply that the gap between pro-teams and the underdogs are slimming rapidly. The following are the top African basketball teams in the last decade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1 \u2013 Tunisia <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tunisia's national basketball team has won multiple tournaments in AfroBasket, FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers, and World Cups\/Olympics. In AfroBasket tournaments, they haven\u2019t lost a single game since 2010. Also, they won 6 times in the world cup qualifiers but lost twice in the 2019 world cup games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2 \u2013 Nigeria<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Match standings from 2010 show that Nigeria\u2019s national team (D\u2019Tigers) is a top African basketball team. In the 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 seasons, they won all games but lost 1 game in 2014-2015 and 2016-2017 games in AfroBasket tournaments. They also qualified for the world cup and 2020 summer Olympics which will happen between 24th<\/sup> July to 8th<\/sup> August 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3 \u2013 Angola<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Angola was phenomenal in the last decade making it one of the top 5 African basketball team. They played in the FIBA world cup in 2014 for the first time after qualifying by winning in 2013 AfroBasket. They have also played in various international competitions and won 11 out of 16 championships with the most recent in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4 \u2013 Senegal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Senegal is one of the most consistent African basketball team since 2011 in FIBA African championships and AfroBasket. However, they did not play in any Olympic games in the last decade. Their last international match was in the 1980 summer Olympics games in Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5 \u2013 Cote d'Ivoire<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cote d'Ivoire's national basketball team (Les \u00c9l\u00e9phants) displayed tremendous skills in the last decade. They have been active in AfroBasket championships with a world cup fixture debut in 2010. A major milestone for the team was the qualification for the 2019 FIBA championships after a tough tiebreaker with Mozambique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges Facing African Basketball<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slow development in almost every sector is taking its toll on basketball in Africa. The biggest challenges African basketball is facing are the lack of proper funding and poor management. Poor infrastructure, low player remuneration, and political stability are pushing African talents to western countries. Notwithstanding, most teams in Africa are defying the odds to promote their talented players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Madagascar basketball national team coach Angel Manzano faced huge challenges when he was installed as the coach in 2011. Sadly, ten years later, those challenges he mentioned still persist. These include the lack of essentials like uniforms, courts, and other equipment. Luckily, some players get sponsorship to join big teams in the NBA league. Some African American basketball players also scout for Africans who they sponsor to professional basketball abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"FIBA
Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"Pictures
FIBA.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Basketball teams across Africa have gone head-to-head to secure trophies and defend their positions. Also, most tournaments keep you at the edge of your seat. The reason is simply that the gap between pro-teams and the underdogs are slimming rapidly. The following are the top African basketball teams in the last decade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1 \u2013 Tunisia <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tunisia's national basketball team has won multiple tournaments in AfroBasket, FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers, and World Cups\/Olympics. In AfroBasket tournaments, they haven\u2019t lost a single game since 2010. Also, they won 6 times in the world cup qualifiers but lost twice in the 2019 world cup games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2 \u2013 Nigeria<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Match standings from 2010 show that Nigeria\u2019s national team (D\u2019Tigers) is a top African basketball team. In the 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 seasons, they won all games but lost 1 game in 2014-2015 and 2016-2017 games in AfroBasket tournaments. They also qualified for the world cup and 2020 summer Olympics which will happen between 24th<\/sup> July to 8th<\/sup> August 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3 \u2013 Angola<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Angola was phenomenal in the last decade making it one of the top 5 African basketball team. They played in the FIBA world cup in 2014 for the first time after qualifying by winning in 2013 AfroBasket. They have also played in various international competitions and won 11 out of 16 championships with the most recent in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4 \u2013 Senegal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Senegal is one of the most consistent African basketball team since 2011 in FIBA African championships and AfroBasket. However, they did not play in any Olympic games in the last decade. Their last international match was in the 1980 summer Olympics games in Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5 \u2013 Cote d'Ivoire<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cote d'Ivoire's national basketball team (Les \u00c9l\u00e9phants) displayed tremendous skills in the last decade. They have been active in AfroBasket championships with a world cup fixture debut in 2010. A major milestone for the team was the qualification for the 2019 FIBA championships after a tough tiebreaker with Mozambique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges Facing African Basketball<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slow development in almost every sector is taking its toll on basketball in Africa. The biggest challenges African basketball is facing are the lack of proper funding and poor management. Poor infrastructure, low player remuneration, and political stability are pushing African talents to western countries. Notwithstanding, most teams in Africa are defying the odds to promote their talented players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Madagascar basketball national team coach Angel Manzano faced huge challenges when he was installed as the coach in 2011. Sadly, ten years later, those challenges he mentioned still persist. These include the lack of essentials like uniforms, courts, and other equipment. Luckily, some players get sponsorship to join big teams in the NBA league. Some African American basketball players also scout for Africans who they sponsor to professional basketball abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"FIBA
Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The Top 5 Basketball Teams in Africa in the Last Decade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Pictures
FIBA.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Basketball teams across Africa have gone head-to-head to secure trophies and defend their positions. Also, most tournaments keep you at the edge of your seat. The reason is simply that the gap between pro-teams and the underdogs are slimming rapidly. The following are the top African basketball teams in the last decade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1 \u2013 Tunisia <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tunisia's national basketball team has won multiple tournaments in AfroBasket, FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers, and World Cups\/Olympics. In AfroBasket tournaments, they haven\u2019t lost a single game since 2010. Also, they won 6 times in the world cup qualifiers but lost twice in the 2019 world cup games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2 \u2013 Nigeria<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Match standings from 2010 show that Nigeria\u2019s national team (D\u2019Tigers) is a top African basketball team. In the 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 seasons, they won all games but lost 1 game in 2014-2015 and 2016-2017 games in AfroBasket tournaments. They also qualified for the world cup and 2020 summer Olympics which will happen between 24th<\/sup> July to 8th<\/sup> August 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3 \u2013 Angola<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Angola was phenomenal in the last decade making it one of the top 5 African basketball team. They played in the FIBA world cup in 2014 for the first time after qualifying by winning in 2013 AfroBasket. They have also played in various international competitions and won 11 out of 16 championships with the most recent in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4 \u2013 Senegal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Senegal is one of the most consistent African basketball team since 2011 in FIBA African championships and AfroBasket. However, they did not play in any Olympic games in the last decade. Their last international match was in the 1980 summer Olympics games in Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5 \u2013 Cote d'Ivoire<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cote d'Ivoire's national basketball team (Les \u00c9l\u00e9phants) displayed tremendous skills in the last decade. They have been active in AfroBasket championships with a world cup fixture debut in 2010. A major milestone for the team was the qualification for the 2019 FIBA championships after a tough tiebreaker with Mozambique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges Facing African Basketball<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slow development in almost every sector is taking its toll on basketball in Africa. The biggest challenges African basketball is facing are the lack of proper funding and poor management. Poor infrastructure, low player remuneration, and political stability are pushing African talents to western countries. Notwithstanding, most teams in Africa are defying the odds to promote their talented players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Madagascar basketball national team coach Angel Manzano faced huge challenges when he was installed as the coach in 2011. Sadly, ten years later, those challenges he mentioned still persist. These include the lack of essentials like uniforms, courts, and other equipment. Luckily, some players get sponsorship to join big teams in the NBA league. Some African American basketball players also scout for Africans who they sponsor to professional basketball abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"FIBA
Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
ALSO READ: Toronto Raptors Win First NBA Championship Under African Team President<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Top 5 Basketball Teams in Africa in the Last Decade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Pictures
FIBA.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Basketball teams across Africa have gone head-to-head to secure trophies and defend their positions. Also, most tournaments keep you at the edge of your seat. The reason is simply that the gap between pro-teams and the underdogs are slimming rapidly. The following are the top African basketball teams in the last decade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1 \u2013 Tunisia <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tunisia's national basketball team has won multiple tournaments in AfroBasket, FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers, and World Cups\/Olympics. In AfroBasket tournaments, they haven\u2019t lost a single game since 2010. Also, they won 6 times in the world cup qualifiers but lost twice in the 2019 world cup games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2 \u2013 Nigeria<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Match standings from 2010 show that Nigeria\u2019s national team (D\u2019Tigers) is a top African basketball team. In the 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 seasons, they won all games but lost 1 game in 2014-2015 and 2016-2017 games in AfroBasket tournaments. They also qualified for the world cup and 2020 summer Olympics which will happen between 24th<\/sup> July to 8th<\/sup> August 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3 \u2013 Angola<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Angola was phenomenal in the last decade making it one of the top 5 African basketball team. They played in the FIBA world cup in 2014 for the first time after qualifying by winning in 2013 AfroBasket. They have also played in various international competitions and won 11 out of 16 championships with the most recent in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4 \u2013 Senegal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Senegal is one of the most consistent African basketball team since 2011 in FIBA African championships and AfroBasket. However, they did not play in any Olympic games in the last decade. Their last international match was in the 1980 summer Olympics games in Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5 \u2013 Cote d'Ivoire<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cote d'Ivoire's national basketball team (Les \u00c9l\u00e9phants) displayed tremendous skills in the last decade. They have been active in AfroBasket championships with a world cup fixture debut in 2010. A major milestone for the team was the qualification for the 2019 FIBA championships after a tough tiebreaker with Mozambique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges Facing African Basketball<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slow development in almost every sector is taking its toll on basketball in Africa. The biggest challenges African basketball is facing are the lack of proper funding and poor management. Poor infrastructure, low player remuneration, and political stability are pushing African talents to western countries. Notwithstanding, most teams in Africa are defying the odds to promote their talented players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Madagascar basketball national team coach Angel Manzano faced huge challenges when he was installed as the coach in 2011. Sadly, ten years later, those challenges he mentioned still persist. These include the lack of essentials like uniforms, courts, and other equipment. Luckily, some players get sponsorship to join big teams in the NBA league. Some African American basketball players also scout for Africans who they sponsor to professional basketball abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"FIBA
Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Notwithstanding, basketball is gaining increasing attention with the sprouting of many clubs. Also, the game is increasingly becoming an integral part of school sports. This is helping to nurture young players. Thus, we have seen stars like Hakeem Olajuwon and Dikembe Mutombo, who are among Africa's current NBA players<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Toronto Raptors Win First NBA Championship Under African Team President<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Top 5 Basketball Teams in Africa in the Last Decade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Pictures
FIBA.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Basketball teams across Africa have gone head-to-head to secure trophies and defend their positions. Also, most tournaments keep you at the edge of your seat. The reason is simply that the gap between pro-teams and the underdogs are slimming rapidly. The following are the top African basketball teams in the last decade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1 \u2013 Tunisia <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tunisia's national basketball team has won multiple tournaments in AfroBasket, FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers, and World Cups\/Olympics. In AfroBasket tournaments, they haven\u2019t lost a single game since 2010. Also, they won 6 times in the world cup qualifiers but lost twice in the 2019 world cup games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2 \u2013 Nigeria<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Match standings from 2010 show that Nigeria\u2019s national team (D\u2019Tigers) is a top African basketball team. In the 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 seasons, they won all games but lost 1 game in 2014-2015 and 2016-2017 games in AfroBasket tournaments. They also qualified for the world cup and 2020 summer Olympics which will happen between 24th<\/sup> July to 8th<\/sup> August 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3 \u2013 Angola<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Angola was phenomenal in the last decade making it one of the top 5 African basketball team. They played in the FIBA world cup in 2014 for the first time after qualifying by winning in 2013 AfroBasket. They have also played in various international competitions and won 11 out of 16 championships with the most recent in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4 \u2013 Senegal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Senegal is one of the most consistent African basketball team since 2011 in FIBA African championships and AfroBasket. However, they did not play in any Olympic games in the last decade. Their last international match was in the 1980 summer Olympics games in Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5 \u2013 Cote d'Ivoire<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cote d'Ivoire's national basketball team (Les \u00c9l\u00e9phants) displayed tremendous skills in the last decade. They have been active in AfroBasket championships with a world cup fixture debut in 2010. A major milestone for the team was the qualification for the 2019 FIBA championships after a tough tiebreaker with Mozambique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges Facing African Basketball<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slow development in almost every sector is taking its toll on basketball in Africa. The biggest challenges African basketball is facing are the lack of proper funding and poor management. Poor infrastructure, low player remuneration, and political stability are pushing African talents to western countries. Notwithstanding, most teams in Africa are defying the odds to promote their talented players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Madagascar basketball national team coach Angel Manzano faced huge challenges when he was installed as the coach in 2011. Sadly, ten years later, those challenges he mentioned still persist. These include the lack of essentials like uniforms, courts, and other equipment. Luckily, some players get sponsorship to join big teams in the NBA league. Some African American basketball players also scout for Africans who they sponsor to professional basketball abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"FIBA
Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Basketball is popular across the continent. However, its popularity is more evident in the Western and Northern regions of the continent. Several factors determine the popularity of the game in Africa. However, the sports ministry in each country determines which game gets the most attention. Also, the game is more popular in countries with basketball academies like Nigeria and Senegal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notwithstanding, basketball is gaining increasing attention with the sprouting of many clubs. Also, the game is increasingly becoming an integral part of school sports. This is helping to nurture young players. Thus, we have seen stars like Hakeem Olajuwon and Dikembe Mutombo, who are among Africa's current NBA players<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Toronto Raptors Win First NBA Championship Under African Team President<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Top 5 Basketball Teams in Africa in the Last Decade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Pictures
FIBA.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Basketball teams across Africa have gone head-to-head to secure trophies and defend their positions. Also, most tournaments keep you at the edge of your seat. The reason is simply that the gap between pro-teams and the underdogs are slimming rapidly. The following are the top African basketball teams in the last decade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1 \u2013 Tunisia <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tunisia's national basketball team has won multiple tournaments in AfroBasket, FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers, and World Cups\/Olympics. In AfroBasket tournaments, they haven\u2019t lost a single game since 2010. Also, they won 6 times in the world cup qualifiers but lost twice in the 2019 world cup games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2 \u2013 Nigeria<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Match standings from 2010 show that Nigeria\u2019s national team (D\u2019Tigers) is a top African basketball team. In the 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 seasons, they won all games but lost 1 game in 2014-2015 and 2016-2017 games in AfroBasket tournaments. They also qualified for the world cup and 2020 summer Olympics which will happen between 24th<\/sup> July to 8th<\/sup> August 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3 \u2013 Angola<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Angola was phenomenal in the last decade making it one of the top 5 African basketball team. They played in the FIBA world cup in 2014 for the first time after qualifying by winning in 2013 AfroBasket. They have also played in various international competitions and won 11 out of 16 championships with the most recent in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4 \u2013 Senegal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Senegal is one of the most consistent African basketball team since 2011 in FIBA African championships and AfroBasket. However, they did not play in any Olympic games in the last decade. Their last international match was in the 1980 summer Olympics games in Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5 \u2013 Cote d'Ivoire<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cote d'Ivoire's national basketball team (Les \u00c9l\u00e9phants) displayed tremendous skills in the last decade. They have been active in AfroBasket championships with a world cup fixture debut in 2010. A major milestone for the team was the qualification for the 2019 FIBA championships after a tough tiebreaker with Mozambique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges Facing African Basketball<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slow development in almost every sector is taking its toll on basketball in Africa. The biggest challenges African basketball is facing are the lack of proper funding and poor management. Poor infrastructure, low player remuneration, and political stability are pushing African talents to western countries. Notwithstanding, most teams in Africa are defying the odds to promote their talented players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Madagascar basketball national team coach Angel Manzano faced huge challenges when he was installed as the coach in 2011. Sadly, ten years later, those challenges he mentioned still persist. These include the lack of essentials like uniforms, courts, and other equipment. Luckily, some players get sponsorship to join big teams in the NBA league. Some African American basketball players also scout for Africans who they sponsor to professional basketball abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"FIBA
Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basketball is popular across the continent. However, its popularity is more evident in the Western and Northern regions of the continent. Several factors determine the popularity of the game in Africa. However, the sports ministry in each country determines which game gets the most attention. Also, the game is more popular in countries with basketball academies like Nigeria and Senegal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notwithstanding, basketball is gaining increasing attention with the sprouting of many clubs. Also, the game is increasingly becoming an integral part of school sports. This is helping to nurture young players. Thus, we have seen stars like Hakeem Olajuwon and Dikembe Mutombo, who are among Africa's current NBA players<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Toronto Raptors Win First NBA Championship Under African Team President<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Top 5 Basketball Teams in Africa in the Last Decade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Pictures
FIBA.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Basketball teams across Africa have gone head-to-head to secure trophies and defend their positions. Also, most tournaments keep you at the edge of your seat. The reason is simply that the gap between pro-teams and the underdogs are slimming rapidly. The following are the top African basketball teams in the last decade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1 \u2013 Tunisia <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tunisia's national basketball team has won multiple tournaments in AfroBasket, FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers, and World Cups\/Olympics. In AfroBasket tournaments, they haven\u2019t lost a single game since 2010. Also, they won 6 times in the world cup qualifiers but lost twice in the 2019 world cup games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2 \u2013 Nigeria<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Match standings from 2010 show that Nigeria\u2019s national team (D\u2019Tigers) is a top African basketball team. In the 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 seasons, they won all games but lost 1 game in 2014-2015 and 2016-2017 games in AfroBasket tournaments. They also qualified for the world cup and 2020 summer Olympics which will happen between 24th<\/sup> July to 8th<\/sup> August 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3 \u2013 Angola<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Angola was phenomenal in the last decade making it one of the top 5 African basketball team. They played in the FIBA world cup in 2014 for the first time after qualifying by winning in 2013 AfroBasket. They have also played in various international competitions and won 11 out of 16 championships with the most recent in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4 \u2013 Senegal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Senegal is one of the most consistent African basketball team since 2011 in FIBA African championships and AfroBasket. However, they did not play in any Olympic games in the last decade. Their last international match was in the 1980 summer Olympics games in Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5 \u2013 Cote d'Ivoire<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cote d'Ivoire's national basketball team (Les \u00c9l\u00e9phants) displayed tremendous skills in the last decade. They have been active in AfroBasket championships with a world cup fixture debut in 2010. A major milestone for the team was the qualification for the 2019 FIBA championships after a tough tiebreaker with Mozambique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges Facing African Basketball<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slow development in almost every sector is taking its toll on basketball in Africa. The biggest challenges African basketball is facing are the lack of proper funding and poor management. Poor infrastructure, low player remuneration, and political stability are pushing African talents to western countries. Notwithstanding, most teams in Africa are defying the odds to promote their talented players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Madagascar basketball national team coach Angel Manzano faced huge challenges when he was installed as the coach in 2011. Sadly, ten years later, those challenges he mentioned still persist. These include the lack of essentials like uniforms, courts, and other equipment. Luckily, some players get sponsorship to join big teams in the NBA league. Some African American basketball players also scout for Africans who they sponsor to professional basketball abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"FIBA
Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Is Basketball Popular in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basketball is popular across the continent. However, its popularity is more evident in the Western and Northern regions of the continent. Several factors determine the popularity of the game in Africa. However, the sports ministry in each country determines which game gets the most attention. Also, the game is more popular in countries with basketball academies like Nigeria and Senegal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notwithstanding, basketball is gaining increasing attention with the sprouting of many clubs. Also, the game is increasingly becoming an integral part of school sports. This is helping to nurture young players. Thus, we have seen stars like Hakeem Olajuwon and Dikembe Mutombo, who are among Africa's current NBA players<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Toronto Raptors Win First NBA Championship Under African Team President<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Top 5 Basketball Teams in Africa in the Last Decade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Pictures
FIBA.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Basketball teams across Africa have gone head-to-head to secure trophies and defend their positions. Also, most tournaments keep you at the edge of your seat. The reason is simply that the gap between pro-teams and the underdogs are slimming rapidly. The following are the top African basketball teams in the last decade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1 \u2013 Tunisia <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tunisia's national basketball team has won multiple tournaments in AfroBasket, FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers, and World Cups\/Olympics. In AfroBasket tournaments, they haven\u2019t lost a single game since 2010. Also, they won 6 times in the world cup qualifiers but lost twice in the 2019 world cup games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2 \u2013 Nigeria<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Match standings from 2010 show that Nigeria\u2019s national team (D\u2019Tigers) is a top African basketball team. In the 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 seasons, they won all games but lost 1 game in 2014-2015 and 2016-2017 games in AfroBasket tournaments. They also qualified for the world cup and 2020 summer Olympics which will happen between 24th<\/sup> July to 8th<\/sup> August 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3 \u2013 Angola<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Angola was phenomenal in the last decade making it one of the top 5 African basketball team. They played in the FIBA world cup in 2014 for the first time after qualifying by winning in 2013 AfroBasket. They have also played in various international competitions and won 11 out of 16 championships with the most recent in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4 \u2013 Senegal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Senegal is one of the most consistent African basketball team since 2011 in FIBA African championships and AfroBasket. However, they did not play in any Olympic games in the last decade. Their last international match was in the 1980 summer Olympics games in Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5 \u2013 Cote d'Ivoire<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cote d'Ivoire's national basketball team (Les \u00c9l\u00e9phants) displayed tremendous skills in the last decade. They have been active in AfroBasket championships with a world cup fixture debut in 2010. A major milestone for the team was the qualification for the 2019 FIBA championships after a tough tiebreaker with Mozambique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges Facing African Basketball<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slow development in almost every sector is taking its toll on basketball in Africa. The biggest challenges African basketball is facing are the lack of proper funding and poor management. Poor infrastructure, low player remuneration, and political stability are pushing African talents to western countries. Notwithstanding, most teams in Africa are defying the odds to promote their talented players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Madagascar basketball national team coach Angel Manzano faced huge challenges when he was installed as the coach in 2011. Sadly, ten years later, those challenges he mentioned still persist. These include the lack of essentials like uniforms, courts, and other equipment. Luckily, some players get sponsorship to join big teams in the NBA league. Some African American basketball players also scout for Africans who they sponsor to professional basketball abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"FIBA
Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The biggest tournament organized by FIBA Africa for national teams is AfroBasket. On the other hand, Basketball Africa League is the biggest tournament organized by the body for sports clubs. Consequently, the NBA is investing millions of dollars to grow its grip in the African market. This is evident in the building of basketball academies<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Basketball Popular in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basketball is popular across the continent. However, its popularity is more evident in the Western and Northern regions of the continent. Several factors determine the popularity of the game in Africa. However, the sports ministry in each country determines which game gets the most attention. Also, the game is more popular in countries with basketball academies like Nigeria and Senegal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notwithstanding, basketball is gaining increasing attention with the sprouting of many clubs. Also, the game is increasingly becoming an integral part of school sports. This is helping to nurture young players. Thus, we have seen stars like Hakeem Olajuwon and Dikembe Mutombo, who are among Africa's current NBA players<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Toronto Raptors Win First NBA Championship Under African Team President<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Top 5 Basketball Teams in Africa in the Last Decade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Pictures
FIBA.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Basketball teams across Africa have gone head-to-head to secure trophies and defend their positions. Also, most tournaments keep you at the edge of your seat. The reason is simply that the gap between pro-teams and the underdogs are slimming rapidly. The following are the top African basketball teams in the last decade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1 \u2013 Tunisia <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tunisia's national basketball team has won multiple tournaments in AfroBasket, FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers, and World Cups\/Olympics. In AfroBasket tournaments, they haven\u2019t lost a single game since 2010. Also, they won 6 times in the world cup qualifiers but lost twice in the 2019 world cup games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2 \u2013 Nigeria<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Match standings from 2010 show that Nigeria\u2019s national team (D\u2019Tigers) is a top African basketball team. In the 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 seasons, they won all games but lost 1 game in 2014-2015 and 2016-2017 games in AfroBasket tournaments. They also qualified for the world cup and 2020 summer Olympics which will happen between 24th<\/sup> July to 8th<\/sup> August 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3 \u2013 Angola<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Angola was phenomenal in the last decade making it one of the top 5 African basketball team. They played in the FIBA world cup in 2014 for the first time after qualifying by winning in 2013 AfroBasket. They have also played in various international competitions and won 11 out of 16 championships with the most recent in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4 \u2013 Senegal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Senegal is one of the most consistent African basketball team since 2011 in FIBA African championships and AfroBasket. However, they did not play in any Olympic games in the last decade. Their last international match was in the 1980 summer Olympics games in Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5 \u2013 Cote d'Ivoire<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cote d'Ivoire's national basketball team (Les \u00c9l\u00e9phants) displayed tremendous skills in the last decade. They have been active in AfroBasket championships with a world cup fixture debut in 2010. A major milestone for the team was the qualification for the 2019 FIBA championships after a tough tiebreaker with Mozambique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges Facing African Basketball<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slow development in almost every sector is taking its toll on basketball in Africa. The biggest challenges African basketball is facing are the lack of proper funding and poor management. Poor infrastructure, low player remuneration, and political stability are pushing African talents to western countries. Notwithstanding, most teams in Africa are defying the odds to promote their talented players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Madagascar basketball national team coach Angel Manzano faced huge challenges when he was installed as the coach in 2011. Sadly, ten years later, those challenges he mentioned still persist. These include the lack of essentials like uniforms, courts, and other equipment. Luckily, some players get sponsorship to join big teams in the NBA league. Some African American basketball players also scout for Africans who they sponsor to professional basketball abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"FIBA
Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Now that African basketball revving forward, FIBA Africa<\/a> was introduced to oversee the African basketball league. FIBA enforces strict compliance with regulations for an eventful playing season. The addition of World cup qualifiers in African basketball made FIBA a critical sports body across Africa. FIBA Africa has made an impactful change to African basketball in numerous ways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The biggest tournament organized by FIBA Africa for national teams is AfroBasket. On the other hand, Basketball Africa League is the biggest tournament organized by the body for sports clubs. Consequently, the NBA is investing millions of dollars to grow its grip in the African market. This is evident in the building of basketball academies<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Basketball Popular in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basketball is popular across the continent. However, its popularity is more evident in the Western and Northern regions of the continent. Several factors determine the popularity of the game in Africa. However, the sports ministry in each country determines which game gets the most attention. Also, the game is more popular in countries with basketball academies like Nigeria and Senegal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notwithstanding, basketball is gaining increasing attention with the sprouting of many clubs. Also, the game is increasingly becoming an integral part of school sports. This is helping to nurture young players. Thus, we have seen stars like Hakeem Olajuwon and Dikembe Mutombo, who are among Africa's current NBA players<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Toronto Raptors Win First NBA Championship Under African Team President<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Top 5 Basketball Teams in Africa in the Last Decade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Pictures
FIBA.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Basketball teams across Africa have gone head-to-head to secure trophies and defend their positions. Also, most tournaments keep you at the edge of your seat. The reason is simply that the gap between pro-teams and the underdogs are slimming rapidly. The following are the top African basketball teams in the last decade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1 \u2013 Tunisia <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tunisia's national basketball team has won multiple tournaments in AfroBasket, FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers, and World Cups\/Olympics. In AfroBasket tournaments, they haven\u2019t lost a single game since 2010. Also, they won 6 times in the world cup qualifiers but lost twice in the 2019 world cup games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2 \u2013 Nigeria<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Match standings from 2010 show that Nigeria\u2019s national team (D\u2019Tigers) is a top African basketball team. In the 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 seasons, they won all games but lost 1 game in 2014-2015 and 2016-2017 games in AfroBasket tournaments. They also qualified for the world cup and 2020 summer Olympics which will happen between 24th<\/sup> July to 8th<\/sup> August 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3 \u2013 Angola<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Angola was phenomenal in the last decade making it one of the top 5 African basketball team. They played in the FIBA world cup in 2014 for the first time after qualifying by winning in 2013 AfroBasket. They have also played in various international competitions and won 11 out of 16 championships with the most recent in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4 \u2013 Senegal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Senegal is one of the most consistent African basketball team since 2011 in FIBA African championships and AfroBasket. However, they did not play in any Olympic games in the last decade. Their last international match was in the 1980 summer Olympics games in Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5 \u2013 Cote d'Ivoire<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cote d'Ivoire's national basketball team (Les \u00c9l\u00e9phants) displayed tremendous skills in the last decade. They have been active in AfroBasket championships with a world cup fixture debut in 2010. A major milestone for the team was the qualification for the 2019 FIBA championships after a tough tiebreaker with Mozambique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges Facing African Basketball<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slow development in almost every sector is taking its toll on basketball in Africa. The biggest challenges African basketball is facing are the lack of proper funding and poor management. Poor infrastructure, low player remuneration, and political stability are pushing African talents to western countries. Notwithstanding, most teams in Africa are defying the odds to promote their talented players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Madagascar basketball national team coach Angel Manzano faced huge challenges when he was installed as the coach in 2011. Sadly, ten years later, those challenges he mentioned still persist. These include the lack of essentials like uniforms, courts, and other equipment. Luckily, some players get sponsorship to join big teams in the NBA league. Some African American basketball players also scout for Africans who they sponsor to professional basketball abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"FIBA
Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Achraf
Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moroccan
Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
  • Controlling international referees' appointment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Now that African basketball revving forward, FIBA Africa<\/a> was introduced to oversee the African basketball league. FIBA enforces strict compliance with regulations for an eventful playing season. The addition of World cup qualifiers in African basketball made FIBA a critical sports body across Africa. FIBA Africa has made an impactful change to African basketball in numerous ways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The biggest tournament organized by FIBA Africa for national teams is AfroBasket. On the other hand, Basketball Africa League is the biggest tournament organized by the body for sports clubs. Consequently, the NBA is investing millions of dollars to grow its grip in the African market. This is evident in the building of basketball academies<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Is Basketball Popular in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Basketball is popular across the continent. However, its popularity is more evident in the Western and Northern regions of the continent. Several factors determine the popularity of the game in Africa. However, the sports ministry in each country determines which game gets the most attention. Also, the game is more popular in countries with basketball academies like Nigeria and Senegal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Notwithstanding, basketball is gaining increasing attention with the sprouting of many clubs. Also, the game is increasingly becoming an integral part of school sports. This is helping to nurture young players. Thus, we have seen stars like Hakeem Olajuwon and Dikembe Mutombo, who are among Africa's current NBA players<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    ALSO READ: Toronto Raptors Win First NBA Championship Under African Team President<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    The Top 5 Basketball Teams in Africa in the Last Decade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"Pictures
    FIBA.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Basketball teams across Africa have gone head-to-head to secure trophies and defend their positions. Also, most tournaments keep you at the edge of your seat. The reason is simply that the gap between pro-teams and the underdogs are slimming rapidly. The following are the top African basketball teams in the last decade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    #1 \u2013 Tunisia <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Tunisia's national basketball team has won multiple tournaments in AfroBasket, FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers, and World Cups\/Olympics. In AfroBasket tournaments, they haven\u2019t lost a single game since 2010. Also, they won 6 times in the world cup qualifiers but lost twice in the 2019 world cup games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    #2 \u2013 Nigeria<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Match standings from 2010 show that Nigeria\u2019s national team (D\u2019Tigers) is a top African basketball team. In the 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 seasons, they won all games but lost 1 game in 2014-2015 and 2016-2017 games in AfroBasket tournaments. They also qualified for the world cup and 2020 summer Olympics which will happen between 24th<\/sup> July to 8th<\/sup> August 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    #3 \u2013 Angola<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Angola was phenomenal in the last decade making it one of the top 5 African basketball team. They played in the FIBA world cup in 2014 for the first time after qualifying by winning in 2013 AfroBasket. They have also played in various international competitions and won 11 out of 16 championships with the most recent in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    #4 \u2013 Senegal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Senegal is one of the most consistent African basketball team since 2011 in FIBA African championships and AfroBasket. However, they did not play in any Olympic games in the last decade. Their last international match was in the 1980 summer Olympics games in Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    #5 \u2013 Cote d'Ivoire<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Cote d'Ivoire's national basketball team (Les \u00c9l\u00e9phants) displayed tremendous skills in the last decade. They have been active in AfroBasket championships with a world cup fixture debut in 2010. A major milestone for the team was the qualification for the 2019 FIBA championships after a tough tiebreaker with Mozambique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Challenges Facing African Basketball<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Slow development in almost every sector is taking its toll on basketball in Africa. The biggest challenges African basketball is facing are the lack of proper funding and poor management. Poor infrastructure, low player remuneration, and political stability are pushing African talents to western countries. Notwithstanding, most teams in Africa are defying the odds to promote their talented players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For instance, Madagascar basketball national team coach Angel Manzano faced huge challenges when he was installed as the coach in 2011. Sadly, ten years later, those challenges he mentioned still persist. These include the lack of essentials like uniforms, courts, and other equipment. Luckily, some players get sponsorship to join big teams in the NBA league. Some African American basketball players also scout for Africans who they sponsor to professional basketball abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"FIBA
    Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

    \"Moroccan
    Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"
    Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \"Achraf
    Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Moroccan
    Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

    \n
  • Organizing international competitions and regulating the transfer of athletes across countries,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Controlling international referees' appointment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Now that African basketball revving forward, FIBA Africa<\/a> was introduced to oversee the African basketball league. FIBA enforces strict compliance with regulations for an eventful playing season. The addition of World cup qualifiers in African basketball made FIBA a critical sports body across Africa. FIBA Africa has made an impactful change to African basketball in numerous ways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The biggest tournament organized by FIBA Africa for national teams is AfroBasket. On the other hand, Basketball Africa League is the biggest tournament organized by the body for sports clubs. Consequently, the NBA is investing millions of dollars to grow its grip in the African market. This is evident in the building of basketball academies<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Is Basketball Popular in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Basketball is popular across the continent. However, its popularity is more evident in the Western and Northern regions of the continent. Several factors determine the popularity of the game in Africa. However, the sports ministry in each country determines which game gets the most attention. Also, the game is more popular in countries with basketball academies like Nigeria and Senegal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Notwithstanding, basketball is gaining increasing attention with the sprouting of many clubs. Also, the game is increasingly becoming an integral part of school sports. This is helping to nurture young players. Thus, we have seen stars like Hakeem Olajuwon and Dikembe Mutombo, who are among Africa's current NBA players<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    ALSO READ: Toronto Raptors Win First NBA Championship Under African Team President<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    The Top 5 Basketball Teams in Africa in the Last Decade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"Pictures
    FIBA.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Basketball teams across Africa have gone head-to-head to secure trophies and defend their positions. Also, most tournaments keep you at the edge of your seat. The reason is simply that the gap between pro-teams and the underdogs are slimming rapidly. The following are the top African basketball teams in the last decade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    #1 \u2013 Tunisia <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Tunisia's national basketball team has won multiple tournaments in AfroBasket, FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers, and World Cups\/Olympics. In AfroBasket tournaments, they haven\u2019t lost a single game since 2010. Also, they won 6 times in the world cup qualifiers but lost twice in the 2019 world cup games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    #2 \u2013 Nigeria<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Match standings from 2010 show that Nigeria\u2019s national team (D\u2019Tigers) is a top African basketball team. In the 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 seasons, they won all games but lost 1 game in 2014-2015 and 2016-2017 games in AfroBasket tournaments. They also qualified for the world cup and 2020 summer Olympics which will happen between 24th<\/sup> July to 8th<\/sup> August 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    #3 \u2013 Angola<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Angola was phenomenal in the last decade making it one of the top 5 African basketball team. They played in the FIBA world cup in 2014 for the first time after qualifying by winning in 2013 AfroBasket. They have also played in various international competitions and won 11 out of 16 championships with the most recent in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    #4 \u2013 Senegal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Senegal is one of the most consistent African basketball team since 2011 in FIBA African championships and AfroBasket. However, they did not play in any Olympic games in the last decade. Their last international match was in the 1980 summer Olympics games in Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    #5 \u2013 Cote d'Ivoire<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Cote d'Ivoire's national basketball team (Les \u00c9l\u00e9phants) displayed tremendous skills in the last decade. They have been active in AfroBasket championships with a world cup fixture debut in 2010. A major milestone for the team was the qualification for the 2019 FIBA championships after a tough tiebreaker with Mozambique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Challenges Facing African Basketball<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Slow development in almost every sector is taking its toll on basketball in Africa. The biggest challenges African basketball is facing are the lack of proper funding and poor management. Poor infrastructure, low player remuneration, and political stability are pushing African talents to western countries. Notwithstanding, most teams in Africa are defying the odds to promote their talented players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For instance, Madagascar basketball national team coach Angel Manzano faced huge challenges when he was installed as the coach in 2011. Sadly, ten years later, those challenges he mentioned still persist. These include the lack of essentials like uniforms, courts, and other equipment. Luckily, some players get sponsorship to join big teams in the NBA league. Some African American basketball players also scout for Africans who they sponsor to professional basketball abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"FIBA
    Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

    \"Moroccan
    Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"
    Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \"Achraf
    Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Moroccan
    Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

    \n
  • Specifying the equipment and facilities,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Organizing international competitions and regulating the transfer of athletes across countries,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Controlling international referees' appointment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Now that African basketball revving forward, FIBA Africa<\/a> was introduced to oversee the African basketball league. FIBA enforces strict compliance with regulations for an eventful playing season. The addition of World cup qualifiers in African basketball made FIBA a critical sports body across Africa. FIBA Africa has made an impactful change to African basketball in numerous ways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The biggest tournament organized by FIBA Africa for national teams is AfroBasket. On the other hand, Basketball Africa League is the biggest tournament organized by the body for sports clubs. Consequently, the NBA is investing millions of dollars to grow its grip in the African market. This is evident in the building of basketball academies<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Is Basketball Popular in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Basketball is popular across the continent. However, its popularity is more evident in the Western and Northern regions of the continent. Several factors determine the popularity of the game in Africa. However, the sports ministry in each country determines which game gets the most attention. Also, the game is more popular in countries with basketball academies like Nigeria and Senegal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Notwithstanding, basketball is gaining increasing attention with the sprouting of many clubs. Also, the game is increasingly becoming an integral part of school sports. This is helping to nurture young players. Thus, we have seen stars like Hakeem Olajuwon and Dikembe Mutombo, who are among Africa's current NBA players<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    ALSO READ: Toronto Raptors Win First NBA Championship Under African Team President<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    The Top 5 Basketball Teams in Africa in the Last Decade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"Pictures
    FIBA.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Basketball teams across Africa have gone head-to-head to secure trophies and defend their positions. Also, most tournaments keep you at the edge of your seat. The reason is simply that the gap between pro-teams and the underdogs are slimming rapidly. The following are the top African basketball teams in the last decade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    #1 \u2013 Tunisia <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Tunisia's national basketball team has won multiple tournaments in AfroBasket, FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers, and World Cups\/Olympics. In AfroBasket tournaments, they haven\u2019t lost a single game since 2010. Also, they won 6 times in the world cup qualifiers but lost twice in the 2019 world cup games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    #2 \u2013 Nigeria<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Match standings from 2010 show that Nigeria\u2019s national team (D\u2019Tigers) is a top African basketball team. In the 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 seasons, they won all games but lost 1 game in 2014-2015 and 2016-2017 games in AfroBasket tournaments. They also qualified for the world cup and 2020 summer Olympics which will happen between 24th<\/sup> July to 8th<\/sup> August 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    #3 \u2013 Angola<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Angola was phenomenal in the last decade making it one of the top 5 African basketball team. They played in the FIBA world cup in 2014 for the first time after qualifying by winning in 2013 AfroBasket. They have also played in various international competitions and won 11 out of 16 championships with the most recent in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    #4 \u2013 Senegal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Senegal is one of the most consistent African basketball team since 2011 in FIBA African championships and AfroBasket. However, they did not play in any Olympic games in the last decade. Their last international match was in the 1980 summer Olympics games in Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    #5 \u2013 Cote d'Ivoire<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Cote d'Ivoire's national basketball team (Les \u00c9l\u00e9phants) displayed tremendous skills in the last decade. They have been active in AfroBasket championships with a world cup fixture debut in 2010. A major milestone for the team was the qualification for the 2019 FIBA championships after a tough tiebreaker with Mozambique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Challenges Facing African Basketball<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Slow development in almost every sector is taking its toll on basketball in Africa. The biggest challenges African basketball is facing are the lack of proper funding and poor management. Poor infrastructure, low player remuneration, and political stability are pushing African talents to western countries. Notwithstanding, most teams in Africa are defying the odds to promote their talented players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For instance, Madagascar basketball national team coach Angel Manzano faced huge challenges when he was installed as the coach in 2011. Sadly, ten years later, those challenges he mentioned still persist. These include the lack of essentials like uniforms, courts, and other equipment. Luckily, some players get sponsorship to join big teams in the NBA league. Some African American basketball players also scout for Africans who they sponsor to professional basketball abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"FIBA
    Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

    \"Moroccan
    Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"
    Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \"Achraf
    Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Moroccan
    Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

    \n
  • Defining basketball rules,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Specifying the equipment and facilities,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Organizing international competitions and regulating the transfer of athletes across countries,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Controlling international referees' appointment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Now that African basketball revving forward, FIBA Africa<\/a> was introduced to oversee the African basketball league. FIBA enforces strict compliance with regulations for an eventful playing season. The addition of World cup qualifiers in African basketball made FIBA a critical sports body across Africa. FIBA Africa has made an impactful change to African basketball in numerous ways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The biggest tournament organized by FIBA Africa for national teams is AfroBasket. On the other hand, Basketball Africa League is the biggest tournament organized by the body for sports clubs. Consequently, the NBA is investing millions of dollars to grow its grip in the African market. This is evident in the building of basketball academies<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Is Basketball Popular in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Basketball is popular across the continent. However, its popularity is more evident in the Western and Northern regions of the continent. Several factors determine the popularity of the game in Africa. However, the sports ministry in each country determines which game gets the most attention. Also, the game is more popular in countries with basketball academies like Nigeria and Senegal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Notwithstanding, basketball is gaining increasing attention with the sprouting of many clubs. Also, the game is increasingly becoming an integral part of school sports. This is helping to nurture young players. Thus, we have seen stars like Hakeem Olajuwon and Dikembe Mutombo, who are among Africa's current NBA players<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    ALSO READ: Toronto Raptors Win First NBA Championship Under African Team President<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    The Top 5 Basketball Teams in Africa in the Last Decade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"Pictures
    FIBA.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Basketball teams across Africa have gone head-to-head to secure trophies and defend their positions. Also, most tournaments keep you at the edge of your seat. The reason is simply that the gap between pro-teams and the underdogs are slimming rapidly. The following are the top African basketball teams in the last decade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    #1 \u2013 Tunisia <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Tunisia's national basketball team has won multiple tournaments in AfroBasket, FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers, and World Cups\/Olympics. In AfroBasket tournaments, they haven\u2019t lost a single game since 2010. Also, they won 6 times in the world cup qualifiers but lost twice in the 2019 world cup games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    #2 \u2013 Nigeria<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Match standings from 2010 show that Nigeria\u2019s national team (D\u2019Tigers) is a top African basketball team. In the 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 seasons, they won all games but lost 1 game in 2014-2015 and 2016-2017 games in AfroBasket tournaments. They also qualified for the world cup and 2020 summer Olympics which will happen between 24th<\/sup> July to 8th<\/sup> August 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    #3 \u2013 Angola<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Angola was phenomenal in the last decade making it one of the top 5 African basketball team. They played in the FIBA world cup in 2014 for the first time after qualifying by winning in 2013 AfroBasket. They have also played in various international competitions and won 11 out of 16 championships with the most recent in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    #4 \u2013 Senegal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Senegal is one of the most consistent African basketball team since 2011 in FIBA African championships and AfroBasket. However, they did not play in any Olympic games in the last decade. Their last international match was in the 1980 summer Olympics games in Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    #5 \u2013 Cote d'Ivoire<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Cote d'Ivoire's national basketball team (Les \u00c9l\u00e9phants) displayed tremendous skills in the last decade. They have been active in AfroBasket championships with a world cup fixture debut in 2010. A major milestone for the team was the qualification for the 2019 FIBA championships after a tough tiebreaker with Mozambique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Challenges Facing African Basketball<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Slow development in almost every sector is taking its toll on basketball in Africa. The biggest challenges African basketball is facing are the lack of proper funding and poor management. Poor infrastructure, low player remuneration, and political stability are pushing African talents to western countries. Notwithstanding, most teams in Africa are defying the odds to promote their talented players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For instance, Madagascar basketball national team coach Angel Manzano faced huge challenges when he was installed as the coach in 2011. Sadly, ten years later, those challenges he mentioned still persist. These include the lack of essentials like uniforms, courts, and other equipment. Luckily, some players get sponsorship to join big teams in the NBA league. Some African American basketball players also scout for Africans who they sponsor to professional basketball abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Can Africans in the Diaspora Play Professional Basketball in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"FIBA
    Source: FIBA internal regulations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Most Africans in the diaspora enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. However, sporting organizations have regulations that control the movement of players in professional sports. Therefore, basketball rules and regulations by FIBA Africa make sure that the game is fair. Although Africans in the diaspora can play for their home countries, there is a caveat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Players who participate in professional leagues must register with a national member federation organization. Thus, if a professional player of African descent in America wants to play for their home country, they need to register with the federation of their home country. In the absence of this, they will not be able to participate in FIBA competitions. For national teams, players who have dual citizenship can play in national leagues. FIBA Africa highlights the comprehensive regulations<\/a> controlling professional basketball in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Future of African Professional Basketball <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was supposed to be launched in March 2020, was postponed to a later date following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this league is to expose the African professional basketball players to higher competition standards similar to the NBA and the world cup. Qualifying teams will be able to compete against each other for mouthwatering prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This will be a game-changer in the quest to improve the game in Africa. Also, it will boost the popularity of professional basketball on the continent and create more opportunities for aspiring players. FIBA Africa Executives like Alphonse Bile have expressed their hope for a boost of African basketball ahead of the BAL launch. Perhaps, this will be the part that will encourage professional African basketballers in the diaspora to return home. <\/p>\n","post_title":"All You Need To Know About Professional Basketball In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"know-about-professional-basketball-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:50:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=285342","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401652,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-12-06 22:48:58","post_date_gmt":"2022-12-07 06:48:58","post_content":"\n

    \"Moroccan
    Moroccan team tosing their coach in the air after their victory against Spain (Photo credit: Abbie Parr\/Associated Press)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Morocco has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. It is the first time that the North African nation is reaching this stage in their last six appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Prior to 6 December 2022, the country\u2019s best outing was in 1986 <\/a>when they reached the round of 16. Not only have they made it to the round of 8 in Qatar, but they are also the only remaining African and Arab nation in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Prior to the game, most analysts believed that Spain would come out victorious. However, Morocco went into the game knowing what was at stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Instead of trying to engage the Spaniards in a possession game, the Moroccans sat back, defended well, and tried to catch the Spaniards on the counter. So, while Spain had all the ball possessions, Morocco had more nervy moments in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The match ended goalless at the end of full-time and extra time and had to come down to penalties to decide the winner. Sabiri stepped up for Morocco and scored the first penalty kick, setting up the nation for what would later be a historic win. The Spaniards hit the upright once and had their two other kicks saved by the superb Moroccan goalie, Yassine Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAF_Online\/status\/1600190745352208411\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Morocco\u2019s right back Achraf Hakimi stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick, sending the goalie to the left while he slotted it in at the middle. It ended 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Atlas Lions will face Portugal in the quarter-finals. Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 to book a tie with Morocco in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Interesting statistics from Morocco that should scare any opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"
    Morocco goalie wins man of the match (Photo credit: Ankit Dutta\/Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Heading into the last eight, Morocco has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way. Although largely perceived as underdogs compared to the other teams that have reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco presents some statistics that should give future opponents Goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    No team has scored against Morocco in Qatar 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Soccer pundits are already predicting that Portugal will come out victorious over Morocco. However, Portugal will need to be more creative and decisive in the final third to break down the Moroccan defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Since Walid Regragui took over as the head coach of Morocco, the team has only conceded one goal\u2014and that was an own goal in the game against Canada. Morocco has 3 clean sheets from their four games at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So far, they are the only team in Qatar 2022 that has not conceded a goal from an opponent player. Their compact and organized defensive line did enough to shut the door on Luis Enrique\u2019s team. Portugal will have to work on a strategy to break down the Morocco defensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Morocco topped their group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \"Achraf
    Achraf Hakimi is a crucial part of the Moroccan defense (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    When Morocco (ranked 22 in the world as of October 6, 2022) was placed in Group F which also has Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, no one ever envisioned that they would make it out of the group. Most soccer pundits predicted that Belgium and Croatia will easily make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, after a goalless draw with Croatia, Morocco went ahead to defeat Belgium and Canada to emerge the winner of that group with 7 points. The second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, did not make it out of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Morocco has the support of two regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Qatar is the first World Cup host to exit the tournament without winning a single game. However, the country can now throw its support behind the Moroccan team, being the only Arab nation that is left in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Apart from the host and Arab nations, Morocco also has the support of all African nations. While Senegal and Morocco made it out of their group, Senegal has since crashed out of the tournament after losing 3-0 to a stronger English side. Senegal\u2019s exit means the entire weight of the continent now lies on Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Every soccer fan knows the important role of the supporters in the morale of the players. It is not surprising that they are often regarded as the 12th player on the pitch. After the game against Spain, a Spanish fan told Aljazeera that the fans were hostile to the Spanish team which might have contributed to the Spaniards missing all their penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Africans react<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    No doubt, the Moroccan team played the game but the entire African continent shared the euphoria of their victory. It didn\u2019t take long for #Morocco to become the trending topic on Twitter as Morocco becomes the fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/sa_durban\/status\/1600355867957657600\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/tkayose\/status\/1600353297252114432\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/cheetahjnr1\/status\/1600352531858587649\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Morocco's national team flew the Palestinian flag after their victory over Spain. It can be recalled that Palestine has been under occupation by Israel which has left the people impoverished for many years. The Moroccan national team is subtly calling for the freedom of Palestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Shanikhokhar306\/status\/1600354198343667712\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FarhanPackaging\/status\/1600352594915782657\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Morocco still has a chance of making it to the semi-final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Portugal made a statement with the 6-1 trumping of Switzerland. However, judging from how all the teams have played so far, Morocco appears to have a more compact and disciplined defense than Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Prior to losing 6-1 to Portugal, Switzerland lost by a lone goal to Brazil and conceded 2 against Serbia. It is unlikely that Portugal will find the back of the net with ease when they play against Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Moroccan
    Moroccan goalie standing for the national anthem (Photo credit: @CAF_Online Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The Portuguese will likely be on the offensive like Spain and Morocco will want to replicate their tactics against Spain and hope to find the net through counterattacks. If the match ever gets to the penalties, the odds will tilt more in Morocco\u2019s favor\u2014from what we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, the Portuguese will go into the game with confidence knowing that no African team has ever won a quarter-final game at the World Cup. Peradventure Morocco breaks that jinx on Saturday, they will be the first African nation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If the Atlas Lions find a way beyond Portugal, they will either meet France or England in the semi-finals. While Africans anticipate that the Moroccan team can go all the way, for now, the focus and preparation would be on beating Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n","post_title":"Morocco Shocks Spain, Makes History In Qatar 2022 World Cup","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"morocco-makes-history-at-qatar-2022-world-cup","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 08:38:51","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=344082","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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