RABAT: Tens of thousands of jubilant Moroccans welcomed their national soccer team home Tuesday after the players exceeded the North African nation’s wildest expectations and finished fourth at the World Cup in Qatar.
Fans packed squares and lined up along avenues and streets in and around Rabat, lighting flares, waving flags, dancing to the beat of drums and cheering as an open-top bus carrying the suit and tie-clad players rolled into the capital with a heavy police escort.
Smiling players and coach Walid Regragui waved, blew kisses to their ecstatic fans and snapped selfies against the backdrop of undulating crowds and swinging palm springs.
At some points along the parade route, the crowds spilled from sidewalks onto a four-lane highway carrying the bus. slowing down the vehicle as it traveled to the royal palace where King Mohammed VI was waiting to receive the players to “celebrate their great and historic accomplishment.”
As the first African or Arab team to reach the World Cup semifinals, the Moroccan team, known as the Atlas Lions, made history and was one of the big success stories of the tournament, the first hosted by an Arab nation.
After the team beat former European colonial powers Belgium, Spain and Portugal, they lost to France in the semifinals. Their record-setting performance led to the players receiving a hero’s welcome.
“Morocco’s run in the 2022 FIFA World Cup will be remembered in the history books as one of the most exciting campaigns since the tournament’s inception,” café owner Reda Ghazi, 27, told The Associated Press. “It was the dream of every Moroccan to win something, especially because Morocco is a country where the passion for football is overwhelming.”
Morocco finished fourth in the competition after losing to Croatia 1-2 in the third-place play-off on Saturday, exceeding the expectations of most Moroccans.
“I still can’t wrap my head around what happened in this World Cup,” added student Anour El Berkaoui, 23. “The team has now set the bar so high that we won’t be happy with anything less than winning the upcoming African Cup of Nations.”
The Moroccan team charmed many Arab soccer fans who saw in the team a reflection of themselves. Players waved the Palestinian flag after their wins and celebrated on the field with their mothers and children.
The team also galvanized support across Africa.
“As an African team, we broke a lot of records and made the whole continent proud,” Rabat resident Omar Zorgane said .
“Morocco as a whole will gain a lot from this year’s World Cup, from tourism to getting the attention of other countries to possibly hosting one of the biggest tournaments in the world in the future,” he said.
Jubilant Morocco welcomes home history-making World Cup team
https://arab.news/whzab
Jubilant Morocco welcomes home history-making World Cup team
- Fans packed squares and lined up along avenues and streets in and around Rabat, lighting flares and waving flags
- Smiling players and coach Walid Regragui waved, blew kisses to their ecstatic fans and snapped selfies against the backdrop of undulating crowds
Toney double sends perfect Al-Ahli into knockout stages in Asia
- Al-Ain had the better of the chances until Toney came off the bench in the second half and made the difference with two fine finishes
- Riyad Mahrez floated over a free-kick from the left and Toney sent the perfect header into the bottom corner to give Eisa no chance
AL-AIN: Ivan Toney scored twice to give Al-Ahli a 2-1 win at Al-Ain on Monday, taking top spot in their AFC Champions League Elite group with five wins from five and a place in the knockout stages with three group games remaining. It also condemned Al-Ain, the holders of the trophy, to their fourth defeat in five matches.
Al-Ain had the better of the chances until Toney came off the bench in the second half and made the difference with two fine finishes
In the first half, Al-Ahli’s best effort came on the stroke of half-time as Roberto Firmino burst into the right side of the area only to pull his shot just wide of the near post.
Before then Al-Ain had come closer. The dangerous Moroccan Soufiane Rahimi had forced a save from Edouard Mendy and soon after the former Chelsea goalkeeper had to get down well once more to deny Kodjo Laba.
Early in the second half, Franck Kessie drew a rare save from Khalid Eisa but it was Mendy again in action just after the hour as he had to leap high to push a header from Kouame Kouadio that was heading in.
The deadlock was broken 20 minutes from the end with a goal made in the English Premier League. Riyad Mahrez floated over a free-kick from the left and there was Toney, who had been on the pitch for just a few minutes, to send the perfect header into the bottom corner to give Eisa no chance.
It almost got worse seconds later as Firmino fired home a rocket from the edge of the area but the flag went up for offside in the build-up. It did not matter as Toney added a second with another beauty, and another top-class assist from Mahrez who curled one into the box from the right for the England striker to half-volley home.
Al-Ain pulled a goal back in the 93rd minute thanks to a thunderous strike from Kaku from the edge of the area but it was not enough to stop Al-Ain crashing to a third defeat against Saudi Arabian opposition in the space of a few weeks after losing 5-4 to Al-Hilal and then 5-1 to Al-Nassr.
Al-Ahli, however, go marching on in Asia and with their firepower will take some stopping.
Saudi Pro League partners with Word Football Summit for WFS Asia show in Riyadh
- Set to take place on Dec. 2-3 at Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District, the event will bring together more than 2,000 industry leaders
LONDON: The Saudi Pro League, Asia’s top-ranked football league, and the World Football Summit announced on Monday a strategic partnership ahead of the WFS Asia 2024 in Saudi Arabia.
Set to take place on Dec. 2-3 at Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District, the event will bring together more than 2,000 industry leaders to discuss and shape the future of football business.
“We are delighted to partner with the World Football Summit,” said Omar Mugharbel, CEO of the Saudi Pro League.
“This collaboration serves as a platform to welcome the global football industry to Saudi Arabia, fostering opportunities for shared growth and mutual prosperity. From our humble beginnings with just eight teams to becoming Asia’s top-ranked league today, our journey highlights the transformative power of football in driving both sporting excellence and societal progress,” he added.
Jan Alessie, co-founder and director of the World Football Summit said the SPL’s success in recent years has been rooted in three key pillars: nurturing young talent, securing world-class international players, and improving club governance.
This evolution aligns seamlessly with WFS Asia’s mission to drive innovation in football business, making the event a natural platform for the SPL to share its insights and experiences.
“The Saudi Pro League’s evolution represents one of the most remarkable stories in modern football,” he said.
“Their commitment to developing local talent while attracting global stars has created a unique model that deserves industry-wide attention. This partnership will provide invaluable insights for football executives worldwide,” he added.
The key themes for the 2024 edition of WFS Asia are the integration of cutting-edge technology in football and the innovation of fan engagement strategies to enhance the sport’s appeal and accessibility.
Additionally, the summit will emphasize the development of sports tourism, showcasing football’s potential to drive economic growth. Sustainability in football will also take center stage, highlighting environmentally conscious practices within the industry.
The event will further spotlight the growth of women’s football and the importance of youth development programs, reinforcing the Kingdom’s dedication to inclusivity and nurturing future talent.
Saudi Arabia to launch professional cricket league: SACF chief
- PIF involvement will see world-class stadiums built in Riyadh, Jeddah and Yanbu
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia will launch its own professional cricket league and has plans to enter into international cricket investments in cooperation with the Public Investment Fund, the chief of the sport’s federation in the Kingdom has said.
World-class stadiums in Riyadh, Jeddah and Yanbu will also be developed under the plan.
It came as the Kingdom hosted the Indian Premier League mega auction for the first time, with top players signing for teams in India’s T20 league, the world’s biggest and most popular.
Speaking to reporters at Abadi Al-Johar Arena in Jeddah, Prince Saud bin Mishal Al-Saud, chairman of the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation, said: “Plans are underway to enter into international investments in cooperation with the Saudi Public Investment Fund that will support their shared ambition to grow cricket at every level of the game in Saudi Arabia.
“One of the most important plans is to set us on the path to achieving our vision to make cricket a major sport in Saudi Arabia and at the same time creating our own professional league.”
He added: “Part of our strategy aims to build on Saudi Arabia’s cricket infrastructure by developing world-class facilities in Riyadh, Yanbu and Jeddah.”
When asked by Arab News about the impact of hosting the IPL mega auction in Saudi Arabia for the first time, he said: “It is a great opportunity for us to host this year’s prestigious auction. With the full support of our government, we are sending a message that it is really a testament to the Kingdom’s commitment to developing cricket here and establishing our country as a global hub for sporting events.”
Commenting on upcoming events, he added: “A lot of things are coming on the pipeline, and we are determined to achieve our big ambition.
“We have more work to do and we are excited about the future and look forward to working with all our partners to achieve this vision together.”
The two-day mega auction began at the Abadi Al-Johar Arena in Jeddah on Sunday.
The squads of the league’s 10 franchises — Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans, Kolkata Knight Riders, Lucknow Super Giants, Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad — will be finalized on Monday from a pool of 574 players.
The IPL will enter its 18th season in March next year, and the Red Sea City is an important stop en route.
Salah says he is ‘more out than in’ at Liverpool as he enters final months of contract
- Mohamed Salah: ‘Well, we are almost in December and I haven’t received any offers yet to stay in the club’
- The Egypt international is 32 and has been at the club since 2017
Mohamed Salah has raised doubts about his Liverpool future, saying he is yet to be offered an extension to his contract, which expires at the end of the season.
Salah spoke out after scoring two goals in Liverpool’s 3-2 win over Southampton on Sunday and suggested he is more likely to leave than stay with the Premier League leader.
“Well, we are almost in December and I haven’t received any offers yet to stay in the club,” he told reporters. “I’m probably more out than in. You know I have been in the club for many years. There is no club like this. But in the end, it is not in my hands.”
Salah’s goals saw Liverpool extend its lead at the top of the standings to eight points. The Egypt international is 32 and has been at the club since 2017.
He has scored 12 goals in 18 appearances this season.
Salah gave a rare interview to English print media before boarding the team bus after the Southampton game and expressed his frustration about the lack of progress with his contract.
“I’m not going to retire soon so I’m just playing, focusing on the season and I’m trying to win the Premier League and hopefully the Champions League as well. I’m disappointed but we will see,” he said.
“I’m very professional. Everybody can see my work ethic. I’m just trying to enjoy my football and I will play at the top level as long as possible. I’m just doing my best because this is who I am and I try to give it all for myself and for the club. We will see what happens next.”
Salah has been heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia since the oil-rich nation launched a drive to lure some of the biggest players in the world to its top league.
Salah is Liverpool’s all-time leading scorer in the Premier League with 167 goals. In all competitions he has scored 223 goals in 367 appearances.
He has won a full set of trophies with the Merseyside club including the league title and the Champions League.
Jeddah event celebrates African heritage, culture, and unity
JEDDAH: VibeScape and SightScape hosted African Night, an event brimming with vibrant energy, cultural performances, and diverse activities, over the weekend at Yazen Ranch in Jeddah.
The event featured activities for all ages, and guests were welcomed by the beats of African drums and live DJ performances, setting an energetic tone for the evening.
A standout feature was the captivating African stage shows, which brought stories of heritage and unity to life. Guests also enjoyed unique activities like stargazing with telescopes, interactive color fights, and marshmallow roasting by campfire.
Families delighted in the animal interaction area, meeting ostriches, deer, and other exotic creatures, while others explored carnival games, karaoke sessions, and photography corners.
Guests enjoyed a buffet featuring a variety of African dishes, offering a taste of the continent’s rich culinary traditions.
Khaled Hashem, founder of VibeScape and SightScape, shared his vision for the event.
“We wanted to create an experience that brings people together and celebrates the richness of African culture. Seeing families and friends connect and enjoy themselves motivates us to keep innovating,” he said.
SightScape, a Saudi platform offering city passes, encourages locals and tourists to explore the Kingdom through curated experiences. Along with VibeScape, it contributes to the growth of Saudi Arabia’s entertainment and tourism sectors, supporting Vision 2030’s goal of promoting cultural exchange and enhancing local experiences.
Morooj Ghoneim, the choreographer behind the stage performances, said: “Our African-themed show is a celebration of traditional and modern African culture, brought to life through music and dance. We incorporated over six iconic songs, ranging from classics like ‘Waka Waka’ to contemporary hits, all performed with authentic African rhythms and drums.
“The choreography was designed to reflect the vibrancy and essence of African dance, and the team worked tirelessly to ensure each performance truly honored the culture and spirit of Africa.”
Afrah Al-Naeem, an attendee who came with her family, said: “The African shows were absolutely breathtaking; they truly transported us to another world.
“As a Sudanese, I felt immense pride seeing our culture and cuisine showcased so beautifully. My family loved the petting zoo, and the pleasant weather made the outdoor activities even more enjoyable. Everything was well-organized,” she added.
Salem Abdullah, another guest, praised the variety of activities, saying: “From the color fight to the nature walk, every moment was unique, and the vibrant community spirit was inspiring.
“Events like this show how much the Kingdom has evolved, offering exceptional entertainment for everyone and setting a new benchmark for events.”
