2024 Olympics: In football, Morocco or Egypt, Africa could win a medal

Posted on August 5, 2024

Lecture: 3 minutes.

Africa hopes to win fifth medal in history at Olympics football Men, August 8 or 9. Will they win gold, as Nigeria and Cameroon did in 1996 and 2000, or silver (which would constitute a first), or bronze, as Ghana did in Barcelona in 1992 and Nigeria did in Rio in 2016? We will be a little add The tournament advances to the evening of August 5, when the second semi-final will be held in Décines-Charpieu near Lyon, with France facing Egypt.

The day could be historic for African football, starting with the match between Morocco and Spain at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille. It was the first time for the Atlas Young Lions to play at this level, and they secured a place in the semi-finals with a resounding success. Face In the United States (4-0 on August 2), it was their third during the Paris Olympics. Morocco is the most offensive team in this tournament (10 goals) – half of which came from tournament director Soufiane Rahimi alone – will try to do like their predecessors who beat Spain in the round of 16 of the 2022 Qatar World Cup ( 0-0 , 3-0 shots Australia but).

Morocco has the best attack of the tournament

The challenge seems easy for the North Africans, who face opponents who defeated Japan in the previous round (3-0). “We have to expect a close game, from which it seems difficult to choose a favorite. Both teams have technical and tactical strength, but at this stage of the semi-finals it will also be a physical and mental battle,” warned Morocco coach Rachid Lostek. somalia Keep an eye on the Cubs’ performance. “Morocco has shown a certain maturity in these Olympics. He has the ability to come up with different systems of play and he knows how to adapt to his opponents, which is why in my opinion his chances of reaching the final are as high as Spain’s.” Several Moroccan internationals – goalkeeper Mounir Mohamed, defender Ashraf Hakimi and attackers Abdou Ezzalzoli and Ilias Ahomechi – also born in Spain, made his professional debut there, his last two spells with Sevilla Betis and Villarreal.

Prognosticators might have considered Spain the favourites to win the Olympics, three weeks after Team A won the European Championship in Germany. “That’s not my opinion. Morocco has the most to lose against Spain in the two semi-finals. balanced. I remind you that in the first round Spain lost to Egypt (1-2) and I really believe that the Little Lions will qualify for the final, ”continued Rashid Lostek.

Egypt has lost twice in the semi-finals

But against whom? The technician has already imagined the final between France and Morocco. “France is at home, they have a very good team and I think the task will be complicated for Egypt. » Pharaoh yes The team remained unbeaten since the start of the World Cup, even finishing first in their group after victories against Uzbekistan (1-0) and Spain (2-1) and a draw with the Dominican Republic (0-0). In the quarter-finals, they eliminated Paraguay 1-1 and 5-4 on penalties, and France coach Thierry Henry is very concerned about their situation, as his team has not conceded a goal since the start of the Olympics. them Described as ” Brazilians from Africa. They are used to being the favourites in these situations and nothing is easy.”

The two teams had already met during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, where the Tricolore prevailed in the quarter-finals (2-0) and a few days later won their first gold medal. 100 years ago, in Paris, Egypt had already reached this The semifinals were against Sweden (0-5), and it was in Tokyo 1964 against Hungary (0-6). But she is still looking for her first podium at the Olympic men’s football championship.

One thing is certain, even if the two African teams lose to European opponents, the classification match between Morocco and Egypt will win Africa a bronze medal. foot African.