By ABDULRAHMAN YAHAYA

Football enthusiasts have tipped Morocco to overcome France in Thursday’s quarter-final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the North Africans can reach the last four of the tournament.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Morocco is the only African team left in the competition after Egypt’s elimination following a 3-2 defeat to Argentina on Tuesday.

Some football stakeholders, who spoke with NAN on Wednesday in Abuja, said Morocco possessed the quality to challenge the former world champions, although they acknowledged the difficult task ahead.

Godwin Bamigboye, Chairman of the FCT Football Coaches Association, described the encounter as a tough contest but expressed hope that Morocco would emerge victorious.

“Morocco against France will be a difficult match because France have experienced players and remain one of the favourites to win the World Cup.

“They also have world-class players such as Kylian Mbappe, but Morocco are a disciplined side and I expect them to give a good account of themselves,” he said.

Bamigboye, however, noted that African teams must develop greater resilience and game management to compete successfully at the highest level.

According to him, teams should focus on maintaining concentration throughout matches, instead of dwelling on controversial officiating decisions.

“Football at this level demands discipline, tactical awareness and mental strength. Teams must keep fighting until the final whistle,” he said.

A football enthusiast, Anas Hassan, said Morocco had demonstrated over the years that they could compete with the world’s best teams.

He expressed optimism that the North Africans had learned valuable lessons from their semi-final defeat to France at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

“France have one of the strongest attacks in the tournament, but Morocco have the organisation and discipline to frustrate them if they execute their game plan well,” he said.

Also speaking, Flamingos Assistant Coach, Abubakar Mansur, said Morocco’s chances would depend on their ability to maintain concentration throughout the encounter.

He said African teams often struggle to absorb sustained pressure from stronger opponents, adding that avoiding costly mistakes would be crucial against France.

On concerns over officiating involving African teams at major tournaments, Ghanaian journalist Gary Al-Smith, urged African sides to focus on performances capable of overcoming any adversity.

According to him, African teams should strive to dominate matches to minimise the impact of contentious referees decisions.

“We know this for a fact: When an African team takes the lead against one of football’s heavyweights in the World Cup knockout rounds, losing concentration is rarely the whole story.

“Too often, the decisive moments and key calls seem to favour the bigger nation, leaving the African side frustrated and struggling to regain its composure,” Al-smith said.

He added that African teams must learn to be too good to be stopped by dubious officiating.

“African teams need the template of the legendary Ghanaian boxer, Azumah Nelson.

“Azumah Nelson said when going in the ring, take your own referee; knock the opponent out, and don’t give the referee the chance to give dubious calls.”

NAN reports that Morocco will take on France on Thursday at Boston Stadium, Boston, U.S., hoping to make it to the World Cup Semi-finals for the second time.

The team became the first African team to reach the Semi-finals in the 2022 edition. (NAN)

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