Cup hopeful Atlas Lions need win against Cameroon
2009-06-03
Morocco needs victory in Cameroon in order to remain in the running for the coming CAN and World Cup competitions.
By Hassan Benmehdi for Magharebia in Casablanca – 03/06/09
 [Hassan Benmehdi] The Atlas Lions began a week of training in France on Sunday to prepare for the match against Cameroon. |
The Cameroon-Morocco match to take place on Sunday (June 7th) as part of the combined elimination round for the African Cup of Nations (CAN) and the 2010 World Cup has all the feel of a final.
Connoisseurs of the "beautiful game" know that this match is a do-or-die contest, as the losing side will have to say farewell to the first World Cup to be held on the African continent, in South Africa.
Although it is an away match, the Atlas Lions are banking on a victory over the Cameroon eleven.
Talking to Magharebia, Moroccan international Jawad Zairi acknowledged the match would be a hard one. But he said the professionals on the national side have what it takes to wrench the three points away from Cameroon.
"Conditions have been ideal for the preparations, and the players are in good spirits," he said.
Because of a scheduling clash, Zairi will not appear on the team roster for the match against Cameroon. "I've just left Greece, which stopped me joining my team-mates for the training sessions," he said.
To secure the best possible chance of winning, the Moroccan team kicked off its preparations on May 31st in France, where it will pick up its last few team members, including spearhead striker Marouane Chamakh.
Defeated on the first day of competition by Gabon, and seen as the weak link in Group A, which includes Togo and Gabon, the Atlas Lions need to strike back and carry the match against Cameroon.
Whoever loses the Morocco-Cameroon match will end up 6 points behind the winner of the match between Gabon and Togo. In other words, victory is imperative for Roger Lemerre's boys if they wish to continue.
Lemerre has been highly criticised for his tactical choices, and one more defeat may be too much for Moroccan supporters, who have still not come to terms with the dismissal of former trainer Badou Zaki.
Defeating Cameroon at home will not be easy; the Indomitable Lions have some high-calibre players in their ranks, including Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona), Carlos Kameni (RCD Espanyol de Barcelona), Song Jr. (Arsenal), Makoun II (Lyon), and Mbia (Rennes) among others.
Moroccan sporting pundits feel that to beat Cameroon, the Moroccan side must rediscover the way it played in the old days, filled with energy but also discipline. The players are expected to show humility, determination, and dedication if they want to come away with an historic win over the Indomitable Lions.
Although disappointed by their team's defeat against Gabon, Moroccan fans remain optimistic about the squad's chances.
"True, the Cameroonian side is one of the best in Africa, but nothing's decided," said Haj Abdelhak, a fan in his forties. "Our team is going to surprise everyone, and I'm even ready to suggest that Hamdaoui will score the winning goal for the Atlas Lions."
The match against Cameroon even has the Moroccan political class talking.
Mohaned Laânser, Secretary General of the Popular Movement Party, feels the national side does not deserve to be knocked out. "I know Cameroon is a good team, but let's keep the faith in Moroccan football and let's learn the lessons for the future," he said in a televised programme.
According to sports journalist El Moâtassim Bennajli, the early loss to Gabon made the possibility of elimination real, saying that "Roger Lemerre's mistakes have plunged the national team into an abyss of uncertainty".
He added that a victory against Cameroon would open up new horizons for Moroccan football, particularly for the newly-selected Federation President Ali Fassi Fihri.
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josef Posted 2009-06-03
come on morocco. i believe in you
محمد Posted 2009-06-04
We still haven't understood the real way to make the Moroccan voter reach the wanted results. I will say it honestly, money is here, the public is here, the audience is here. Here is the raw material including talented players who are abundant in the country. The problem is in management on the one hand and training on the other hand. The leader of the national team should be the son of the national team. You have many examples to confirm this. In Egypt there is Hassan Chahata, Aragones in Spain, Gordiola in Barcelona and Zaki in Morocco. Understand the method.
AMINE Posted 2009-06-05
I think Morocco can win the match against Cameroon.
محمد Posted 2009-06-05
I wish defeat to the national team. It will be defeated God willing until people understand that those who aren't born and grown up in the land of Morocco don't deserve to wear the national jersey because they don't know yet the meaning if playing with the flag of my country on their shoulders.
خاليد الازهر Posted 2009-06-05
Under the title dancers of the Atlas, the results was clear in the first game, what to expect in the next game?
simo Posted 2009-06-06
My name is Simo. I love Azemmour, Morocco and Bigg.
abdrrazzak Posted 2009-06-07
Cameroon forever, since there is nothing.
سامي Posted 2009-06-07
If there should be a loss, it is better to be in front of Cameroon. I wished it was the first game and we lost it. But unfortunately we have lost. How do you want to win in front of a team in his field? Please don't make us live in the illusion that we will win. The Moroccan football has entered a state of coma. The best example is the teams of our national league which are flailing, they are quite lost. So how can be the situation of the national team? In my opinion, it is better they lose with honour and get out of the competition to save the pockets of Moroccans which bore more than their powers.
يوسف مو ح Posted 2009-06-07
Morocco needs a victory in Cameroon to remain the qualifiers for the coming African Cup and World Cup.
ايمن Posted 2009-06-07
The Moroccan national team has nothing to do with these members. Cameroon will win 4-1 God willing.
titi22 Posted 2009-06-07
I am with them with all of my heart. I hope that they will qualify.
marockan Posted 2009-06-07
which time will the match begin?
Essam Posted 2009-06-08
I agree with Mohammed above, morocco team should home grown managed by moroccan nationals that reflect the honor and the true image of how proud moroccans are
narjiss Posted 2009-06-08
If you want Morocco to win, bring back your master Zaki and bring back the team which was with him especially El Mokhtari, Zairi, Ouaddou and El Kerkouri. It was these players who made Moroccans always happy.
abidal Posted 2009-06-11
The World Cup is pretty far off.
محمد المالكى المغربى Posted 2009-06-15
My brothers, I am one of the fanatics and supporters of national staff to lead the training of the national team. But what can we do in the face of the passion of football officials in our dear nation for foreign coaches? I ask God to guide them and enlighten their hearts in order to listen to Moroccan public which calls for the return of the respectable coach Badou Zaki and dispensing with the services of the French coach Roger Lemerre. But in spite of all this I am optimistic about the qualification of the national team, God willing, to the World Cup in South Africa, God willing because I have great hopes in God to help us reach the world event 2010.
abdou Posted 2009-06-23
We will win in our dreams. Wake up from your drowsiness. Those who still follow the news of the Moroccan national team are mad. You know that we don't have a jealousy for the national jersey because those who play in the national squad aren't Moroccans. Therefore, they have no jealousy for the national jersey. Do like me, own up that we don't have football officials who are jealous for the nation.
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