In light of Morocco’s historic win against Belgium today, a little story with some reflections about how the fans made this victory possible.
Three months before the World Cup, an unlikely decision was announced by the Moroccan football federation: they were parting ways with Vahid Halilhodžić, the coach who had just qualified them to the World Cup.
It was unlikely but not surprising. The Bosnian had become extremely unpopular among fans in Morocco. I was in the stadium when they beat Congo 4-1 in their last WC Qualifiers, and the fans immediately booed the coach.
Despite the result, they were furious with the way the team played. They were chanting for players who hadn’t been called up.
Vahid had taken over after the Hervé Renard, an accomplished coach who had also led Morocco to the World Cup in Russia and had an unfortunate early exit (own goal loss against Iran, VAR controversy against Portugal)
Instead of building on his predecessor’s team, Vahid attempted to restructure the hierarchy and heavyweight in the team. He banished players and made dubious choices constantly. And worst, he developed personal grudges with players and badmouthed them to the media
Who are some of those banished players? Most notably: today’s star Hakim Ziyech as well as Nasir Mazraoui.
Things had gotten so bad with these players that they publicly rejected playing for the national team as long as Halilhodzic was in charge. The fans, aided by poor performances, sided with the players
The Moroccan Federation was faced with a difficult decision and question. Do you sack the coach who’s been in charge for the last 3 years, a month before the World Cup? If yes, then bring who?
Enters Walid Regragui. A rising coaching star who had just led Wydad Casablanca to a historic double: the Moroccan league and the CAF Champions league.
Walid was everything Vahid isn’t. Soft spoken, charismatic, popular and most importantly: National. As soon he was appointed, the spirit around the team had transformed.
It’s exciting watching this Morocco team, under this coach, but it’s also a deserved moment for the fans who did not settle for mediocre and were instrumental in making this moment happen.
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