from Rabat, a France-Morocco with the air of revenge – Liberation

2023 Women’s World Cup file A few months after the semi-final between the men’s teams, the Atlas Lionesses meet the Blues this Tuesday at 1 p.m. in Adelaide for a place in the quarter-finals. A match that arouses real enthusiasm in Morocco.

Eight months after the semi-final of the FIFA World Cup lost by the men in Qatar against France, the Moroccan women’s team finds Les Bleues in Adelaide (Australia) this Tuesday August 8 at 1 p.m. in the round of 16. A match which arouses real enthusiasm in a kingdom proud of its Lionesses and which hopes to take its revenge on the France team.

In the streets of Rabat emptied of their usual tumult by the summer holidays, Moroccans experience an unexpected sporting interlude. “They are incredible, says Amina, stars in her eyes. We did not expect them at this level.” For their first participation in the competition, the Atlas Lionesses have indeed surprised everyone. After an inaugural slap received against Germany (0-6), the Moroccans chained two successes against South Korea (1-0) and Colombia (1-0) to finish in second place in Group H ahead of … Germany. “After the first match, it was hard to believe in the qualification, continues the young woman of 25 years. But they managed to make us dream and now we want it to continue!

“Everything can happen”

Falling back after the defeat to Germany, interest in this 2023 Women’s World Cup has gradually regained the hearts and minds of Moroccans. “People quickly forgot the humiliation,” says a cafe manager in the capital. It’s true that there were a few fewer people for Korea, but against Colombia we were full, and on Tuesday, we expect to have supporters everywhere, “he exclaims, showing its terrace. “We have already succeeded in our World Cup, comments Mohammed sitting in front of a coffee. We know we’re not favorites but anything can happen, I’m sure we’ll win.”

Since the feat of the Atlas Lions in Qatar, football is omnipresent in Morocco. Friendly match in March against Brazil followed by more than 60,000 people in Tangier, African Cup of Nations for the under 23s organized in the country in July and won by the Lionceaux de l’Atlas against Egypt… In all minds, this sporting success embodies the power of the kingdom internationally. Ironically, France crystallizes a lot of feelings, both in the sporting field after the defeat in the semi-finals last year and on the diplomatic level, where disagreements abound (Pegasus affair, Algeria, visa crisis, etc.) . “Tomorrow will be a new opportunity to beat France. This time, we won’t miss it,” warns Ahmed, a worker in his fifties. The kickoff is scheduled for noon, Moroccan time, his boss granted him permission to take the lunch break during the time of the match, “even if we have to go into extra time”.

A match “full of emotions”

Whatever the result, this match is also a meeting between two countries with very strong ties. In the team coached by Frenchman Reynald Pedros, eight players have dual Franco-Moroccan nationality, and six currently play in France alongside Eugénie Le Sommer and Sakina Karchaoui. The titular side of the Bleues is of Moroccan origin and is preparing for a match “full of emotions”. As for the French coach, Hervé Renard, he coached the Moroccan men’s team for three years, to the point of admitting that his heart had fallen for Morocco during the Qatari World Cup. “It’s a family game, Amina laughs, it’s going to be a great party here!”