Morocco make it fourth time lucky for Africa at World Cup

Morocco make it fourth time lucky for Africa at World Cup

© AFP 2022
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:19 PM
Morocco forward Youssef En-Nesyri celebrates scoring the goal that sent his nation into the seni-finals of the World Cup
Morocco forward Youssef En-Nesyri celebrates scoring the goal that sent his nation into the seni-finals of the World Cup. Photo: PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP
Source: AFP

Morocco's 1-0 victory over Portugal on Saturday made them the first African team to reach the last four of a World Cup.

Three African teams had fallen in the quarter-final stage before Walid Regragui's side finally ended the continent's long wait for a semi-final spot.

Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010 had all made strong runs in the tournament but were unable to go beyond the last eight.

Cameroon's pioneers

Cameroon players (from L) Francois Omam Biyick, Stephen Tataw and Roger Milla wave to their fans at the end of the 1990 World Cup quarter-final against England
Cameroon players (from L) Francois Omam Biyick, Stephen Tataw and Roger Milla wave to their fans at the end of the 1990 World Cup quarter-final against England. Photo: Georges GOBET / AFP
Source: AFP

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The first African team to reach the quarters were Cameroon in Italia '90 where the 'Indomitable Lions', having beaten Colombia in the last 16, came up against Bobby Robson's England.

David Platt put England ahead in the 25th minute but the introduction of the 38-year-old Roger Milla at the break sparked a turnaround.

Milla won a penalty which Emmanuel Kunde converted in the 61st minute and then four minutes later set Eugene Ekeke to put the African side ahead.

But Gary Lineker's 83rd minute penalty took the game into extra-time and the England poacher struck again in the 105th minute to end Cameroon's dream.

Despite the defeat Cameroon took a deserved lap of honour at the San Paolo stadium in Naples having won many hearts and much respect with their performances which began with a 1-0 win over Argentina in their opening group game.

'Golden Goal' ends Senegal surge

Senegal's progress in 2002 was halted by Turkey
Senegal's progress in 2002 was halted by Turkey. Photo: GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP
Source: AFP

Senegal's run to the last eight in South Korea and Japan was all the more impressive given it was their first appearance in a World Cup tournament.

The Lions made a grand entry beating the defending champion and favourite France 1-0 in the opening match.

That shock victory was followed up draws with Denmark (1-1) and Uruguay (3-3) to set up a round of 16 clash with Sweden which was won 2-1 thanks to two goals from Henri Camara, the second the match-winning 'golden goal' in extra-time.

Turkey were the opponents in the last eight but this time the golden goal rule proved to be the undoing of the Africans -- after the game ended goalless in 90 minutes, Ilhan Mansiz struck four minutes into extra-time to send the Turks through.

That was the last 'golden goal' scored in a men's international tournament, with FIFA returning to normal extra-time for the 2006 edition.

Gyan and Ghana's agony

Ghana forward Asamoah Gyan was crestfallen after Uruguay's controversial victory in 2010
Ghana forward Asamoah Gyan was crestfallen after Uruguay's controversial victory in 2010. Photo: GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP
Source: AFP

Until Saturday's Moroccan success, the nearest an African team had been to the last four was in 2010 when Ghana were a last-second penalty away from the semi-finals.

The game finished 1-1 after normal time with Sulley Muntari cancelling out Diego Forlan's opener.

In the final moments of extra-time Uruguay forward Luis Suarez prevented a certain goal with a deliberate handball on the goalline to deny Ghana a winner.

Suarez was sent off but Asamoah Gyan smashed the resulting spot kick against the bar and Uruguay then won the penalty shoot-out

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© AFP 2022 photo
© AFP 2022