By Victor Enyinnaya on December 10, 2022

As the Qatar 2022 World Cup football summit continues with its surprises which of course is the name of the round leather game which at the end enduringly excites fans for its thrills, frills and drills, the crashing out of Brazil from the tournament at the round of 16 stage yet brought to the fore the fast developing status of the most followed sport in the globe.
It is no longer news that Spain another major stakeholder in the global football championship was shown the way out by Africa’s representative, Morocco to set up thiss grudge quarter-final dual against Portugal today.
It is instructive to note that result also set the tone and made Morocco forth African team to reach the quarter-final stage in World Cup history.
Our continent’s only surviving flag bearer, Morocco has lots in her hands to contend with today in this epic quarter-final against Portugal whose records in the World Cup so far is not so impressive to warrant any form of intimidation against the North African country.
For this reporter, the game between both countries would be open but so interesting because judging from the showing by Morocco so far in the competition, there is a glimmer of hope that if the African team jealously guide or re-enact its form against Spain and if the technical bench involves one stop match strategy as it did against more dreaded Spain in her last game and put up spirited fight against Portugal Christiano Rolando in the field or not, then Morocco will proceed to the semis after the epic tug of  war the World quarter-final encounter would drag them into.
I have watched a number of games the Portuguese played in the championship so far before this crucial and critical one and would say without any iota of contradiction that the Moroccan side I watched against Spain can march the European side resoundingly  the presence of Rolando or not. Morocco has a riot like and imaginative forward men that can distablise any water tight like defenceline which of course Portugal cannot readily boast of in this tournament.
Morocco must bear in mind that their day’s opponent has dreaded players that can do damage to team that under rates them. Morocco saw how this Portuguese team without Rolando reduced Nigeria to nothingness in a friendly enroute this World Cup with Rolando and so that should serve as big lesson to Morocco to vigilant and ready as the game lasts. 
Note that the Atlas Lions of Morocco I saw against Spain was not only determined for the game for history purposes but also prepared for the worst as we saw the Africans contested every move and ensured the players blocked every space that their more technically better side opponent could exploit against them and it worked out beautifully hence the difficult game dragged into penalties which the Moroccans smiled last.     
If such act is repeated in today’s game there may be likelihood to witness another exit of European side looming after proceedings today. Truth about today’s make or break game is if Morocco could bring her head down and set eyes on the ball nothing would stop her from setting African record of becoming the first to reach the World Cup semi-final.
Truly, the ball is on Morocco’s court and their day’s opponent, Portugal is not so fantastic side like Spain it bundled out to reach this stage. The burden is on the shoulders of all that are involved in this project. The technical crew must go deep down to ensure it will adopt killer but  mobile tight match plan that would choke Portugal but give room for Moroccan players to operate excellently via playing strictly to instruction involving quick, intelligent thinking and communication amongst them (players) as was seen during that breathe taking match against former World Cup champs, Spain.
As it has always been, at this stage of the most prestigious sport on the planet earth every country that is on this radar don’t easily let go as they always go down fighting gamely.
It is on that inflammable premise therefore that Morocco must brace up gamely and up their game against Rolando’s country national team whether the multiple World Footballer/ Player of Year will be in the line up or not.
One tree they said cannot make a forest therefore the Moroccans’ must know in this contest that it is representing the entire African continent as it squares up against Portuguese side that would take the battle straight and directly into its area as soon as the referee signals proceedings for the hostiles to begin.
Head or tail it won’t be a tea a party affair, in short an easy showpiece but methinks that Morocco will give great account of the continent’s improved football. However any country that got its acts together and focused on the nitty-gritty of the purpose no doubt will carry the day.       
Of importance also is that the game will be too tight as both sides would first involve in the opening minutes the act of studying each other and at the same time looking for any possible loose opening to cash in to do the damage.
As we keep our fingers crossed, Africans say go, Morocco, go for the kill!!

Source Daily Sports Nigeria

Posted December 10, 2022

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