For Morocco supporters, the opening match of the CAN started 6 hours before kick-off. Around the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, lines of fans are already forming, all dressed in red, to come and watch the event that 35 million souls have been waiting for for 37 years. “We only see this once in our lives,” says Mourad, 28, who came specially from Bobigny (Seine-Saint-Denis) to attend the meeting with his friends Amar and Yliesse.
The three Ile-de-France residents traveled six hours the day before from the town of Oujda to Rabat, where they will attend the group stage and the final. “But if we don’t make it to the final, I’ll sell my place!” », Launches Amar, who predicted a 3-0 victory for the Atlas Lions this Sunday with goals from Brahim Diaz, Ismaël Saibari and Azzedine Ounahi.
“Excuse me, don’t you have a little ticket to sell? » asks Ouail Ouanjine a few meters from the first security gates, in the pouring rain which does not discourage the hundreds of supporters from continuing their progress. The AS Panazol (N3) striker, manager of a civilian transport company, traveled from Limoges with her friend Kaïnna Khelifi, who is hoping for a stroke of luck to avoid watching the match in the fan zone.
“I’m a sellout today! » jokes the 21-year-old Franco-Tunisian, wearing a large Moroccan flag on her shoulders, who ends up obtaining a ticket for 1,200 dirhams (120 euros) thanks to an intermediary contacted on Whatsapp. On the square in front of the enclosure, Antoine, originally from Saint-Pierre-du-Perray (Essonne), praises the fluidity of the filtering and the modernity of the 53,000-seat stadium, largely renovated for the CAN. “I have already done a lot of stadiums, and it really looks like European standards.”
A fiery atmosphere, then a cold snap
The fervor of Moroccan supporters also has nothing to envy of the hottest derbies of the old Continent, although it takes time to manifest itself. After an opening ceremony full of light shows marked by the revelation of the official anthem of the competition, then the presentation of the Ballon d’Or by an acclaimed Achraf Hakimi at each appearance on the giant screens, “Dima Maghrib” (“Long live the Maghreb” in Darija) invaded the stands from the first minutes, in a stadium which was completely filled in the quarter of an hour before kick-off.
If Morocco has demonstrated its ability to assume the logistical burden of an event described by the organizers as the “largest CAN in history”, only convincing results from the Atlas Lions will be able to grant the tournament such status in the hearts of their supporters.
While the pre-match took place in relative calm, revealing the pressure surrounding Walid Regragui’s players for their CAN at home, the public greeted with “olas” each pass from Walid Regragui’s players, whistled each ball taken by the Comorians, and roared as soon as the Moroccans crossed the opposing camp. The penalty whistled in the 10th minute electrified the crowd, whose enthusiasm was however dampened by Yannick Pandore’s save in front of Soufiane Rahimi. A false rhythm sets in and the tension rises. A huge bronca accompanies the players at half-time, increasing the pressure on their shoulders. Doubt sets in, smiles fade. Already with the idea that this dream CAN will not be a cakewalk for the big favorites.
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