Loss to Gabon surprises Morocco fans
2009-03-30
Although experts ranked Morocco's National Football Team above that of Gabon, the Atlas Lions failed to secure a victory on Saturday. Coach Roger Lemerre vowed to do better in the next two matches in June.
By Naoufel Cherkaoui for Magharebia in Rabat – 30/03/09
 [Naoufel Cherkaoui] Morocco's national team will have two chances in June to recover from the defeat. |
Fans of the Atlas Lions suffered a disappointment on Saturday (March 28th) when the team lost 2-1 to Gabon in Casablanca. The match was part of the third and final round to qualify for the 2010 African and World Cups.
Experts and fans had high hopes for the Moroccans, especially in light of their strong performance in a friendly against the Czech Republic and the less-than-stellar ratings of Gabon's national team.
Nevertheless, Gabon challenged all expectations and showed full control of the pace during Saturday's game. They closed up on the Moroccan team, especially in the midfield. They also imposed strict surveillance on the Moroccan attackers and played off their opponents' errors, launching quick counterattacks from time to time.
Other factors played in favour of Gabon; for example, the height of the Gabonese players, including the goalkeeper, made it difficult for the Moroccan strikers to take advantage of free-kicks, which were almost the Moroccans' only chance.
The Moroccan team failed to match Gabon's level of play and lacked harmony, spectators said. Most of their attacks were individual and the players found it difficult to pass the ball in the midfield and forward lines.
"Everyone is describing us as a small team," said Gabon goalkeeper Didier Ovono. "Well, we came to Morocco small and will return to our country big."
Gabonese attacker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored the first goal in the 34th minute, just as Moroccan soccer fans were anticipating their team to score. The goal disappointed the Moroccan players.
It didn't help when Roguy Meye scored the second goal one minute before the first half ended.
Close to the end of the match, hope was renewed for the Moroccan team. Mounir al-Hamdaoui attacked Gabon's goal twice, missing before scoring in the 84th minute.
But that was Morocco's only goal in the game.
"I'm very disappointed because this loss at home is always very hard on the team, but this is only the beginning," said Moroccan attacker Adel Taarabt.
These qualifiers include five groups. The winner of each group qualifies directly to the World Cup finals, while the first three teams qualify to the African Cup.
"We are happy," said Gabon coach Alain Giresse. "We weren't expecting to win, although we worked for it. We managed to take advantage of our available capabilities. Therefore, the result is very positive for us."
The defeat ignited a fresh debate about the Moroccan team's management. Some people blamed the loss on French coach Roger Lemerre, saying they had warned against his appointment from the beginning.
Nawal, a football fan from Kenitra, said that she never liked Lemerre as a coach, saying he is not qualified enough. "This loss is the best proof of his weakness," she concluded.
Lemerre defended his position, stressing that although they are three points behind two teams in the group, "we will do our best to fix the situation in the next two matches in June."
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TUNISIAN Posted 2009-03-30
WE SUUFFERED A LOT WHEN LEMERRE HE WAS IN TUNISIA. THE PROBLEM IS THE WAY HE THINKS .I CAN TYPE PAGES AND PAGES ABOUT LEMERRE , BUT AN ADVISE TO THE MORROCANS... TRY TO GET RID OF HIM, HE IS NOT WORTH IT , IF YOU PAY THE SAME MONEY TO A MOROCAN COACH HE'LL DO BETTER THEN THIS RACIST......
tounsi_sansplus Posted 2009-03-30
Lemerre!!! Lemerre!!! Lemerre!!! This is not a surprise. There is an Arab saying that goes “Ask someone who was just here.” Here in Tunisia, we answer: “We were just here.”
youssef21121 Posted 2009-03-30
Salam- A big hats off to Mr Mounir Elhamdaoui and his exemplary fighting spirit. Gabon’s defeat of the Moroccan team, in my opinion, is explained by several things, one of which was the fan base in the stadium. The Moroccan spectators did not fulfil their task of encouraging the national team all the way to the end of the match. A team facing difficulties needs encouragement and motivation, not insults on their moral out of self-interest. Win a match in your own country often happens with the help of the local population, the twelfth player. Unfortunately, 28 March was an unforgettable day where the Moroccans fans rather supported Gabon’s team. If the players and the technical staff are obligated to do their best to support their team, then don’t you underestimate them! If you do, then keep quiet. “The best words are those left unsaid.” The day our fan base learns a sense of patience, sacrifice and brotherliness the national team will go quite far. So, let us continue on supporting the Lions of Atlas! "Don't despair from God's mercy, for God loves the disheartened."
kalid Posted 2009-03-30
The players never played against an African team. This is an aggressive, clever game. They do not have a lot of strategy, but they do have a lot of will and ambition. The federation needs to call in the local players at 50%.
bourennani Posted 2009-03-31
Stay strong, Foxes!
Sam Posted 2009-03-31
Without the best goalie in the world, Mr Badou Zaki, and Timoumi as his assistant, the Moroccan team will be exposed to being grated by all the teams. In short, this was a loss of money thanks to certain directors who have nothing to do with football, but rather just grants from FIFA. This money was indeed destined to the needs of our football, but, unfortunately, these leaders use it for their own projects (such as selling tourist-complex apartments in order to promote the prostitution of women or, if they are women, men). We want Zaki at the head of our national team. He beat the Algerians and gave them a good lesson in so doing!
Rachid Posted 2009-03-31
They have to kick Mr Lemerre out, he was never ever qualified as a coach, we need a coach with English experience !!!! Kick Lemerre out pleaseeeeeeeeeeee
intissar Posted 2009-04-01
Moroccans were expecting victory for the Atlas Lions over Gabon, but unfortunately it was the opposite. Despite this, Moroccans still have hope that the national team increases efforts and lift the flag of Morocco.
أبو الخنساء Posted 2009-04-01
Salam alikum. Brothers, I don’t agree with those who say that we lost the game. The contradiction is that we have lost football management for a long time but we haven’t felt it. I don’t know why we change coaches but we don’t change managers in the federations in spite of the successive failures? Aren’t these people ashamed, submit their resignations and be democratic with themselves? Don’t they know that the works they do are voluntary (as it is indicated by the associative work)? They just have to leave them to those who are worthier than them and acknowledge their failure in management. There is nothing shameful about that. Acknowledging the error is a virtue. Oh men, let Moroccans control things with their hands in football. The Moroccan sports produced great champions and great minds. Why do we only trust foreigners? Is it a complication or faith? We are free in our country so don’t take us back. Despite everything, this is just a game; there is victory and defeat. But we shouldn’t lose the sons of our country. Shame on you. Forget the love of the self. Work with a sport spirit. Stay away from giving our resources to others. There should be love for the nation and sons of the nations regardless of whom they were or are. We don’t ask for the impossible. What is the reason for which you choose professional players and neglect players practising in the nation? Why this injustice? Don’t you know that these players practise in professional championships and lack physical form? Moreover, they are concerned about being injured. Therefore, they are assigned to the side bench. So they don’t give everything they have unlike non professional players. They defend with all their strength hoping to reach the highest stages to become professional as did the national team in 1986 while most of its members were amateurs. Sirs, taking care of local players and supporting them with some professionals could be more productive. Look at the Egyptian experience and Tunisian experience: most players are those who play in the national league. Despite this they give very good results. What do we lack? Is our local league lamentable to this point and doesn’t have artist players? Of course not. The proof is that the stadiums are full of high level fans in all games. Look at the teams of Casablanca and all the nation even in the lowest ranks. But what we need is trust and good search.
saad Posted 2009-04-01
Saad long live Raja!
khalid boston Posted 2009-04-01
This loss is a wake-up call to the moroccan federation to make up their mind and stick with one coach instead of one in every six months.I think the bigest mistake is when they got rid of zaki the real founder of this team who gave hope to the whole country by leading it to the final of CAN 2004 and did nothing wrong but his best and since his departure the national team is facing this crisis.
الموحد Posted 2009-04-02
God is the assistant. Do you still live with this illusion. We are not an entertainment nation, where are you from the issues of Muslims? There is no power and no will but from God.
SIMO Posted 2009-04-02
A defeat by Gabon??? This is quite logical given that you cannot win a sports match when a large number of the players step out on the field after just having come from the airport! Be a bit more professional, Mr Federation Directors. What is more, you need to give the local players a chance: they are not worried about hurting their legs because they do not earn tons of euros off of them like the... um... professionals. On the contrary, they are more able to give their maximum so that they can find some drafters inside or outside of Morocco who will might pay them tons of euros as well for their efforts and their performance on the field. And, you say national colours!?!
ichou Posted 2009-04-02
To hell with the coaches Lemerre and Fathi because they failed in their tactical plans they have even failed in controlling players and imposing firm discipline inside the group. To hell with the officials of the federation because they have distorted our image. To hell with Blinda as well because he is stupid and understands nothing. To hell with Ouadou who thinks he is free in taking the decision as an official player or a substitute; to hell with Nabil Lazhar, Safri and Talal and even all the defense of the squad. To the experts in football, bring a Moroccan coach who will impose discipline and respect firstly inside the group, then you will see the result. Long live Zaki and long live Fakhir.
EL HADJ Posted 2009-04-03
Although I am not Moroccan, Gabon’s defeat of the eleven players on the national team truly disappointed me. I am one of those people who would like to see the various teams of the Maghreb (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia) take part in the next African Cup and World Cup. Football not being an exact science, I remain optimistic about the upcoming matches. Long live the United Great Maghreb!
ROJO 007 Posted 2009-04-04
Morocco forever.
Eng.Hasan Al-Bahkali Posted 2009-04-05
The five Arab African teams (Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Sudan). The Egyptian and Algerian national teams were drawn in the same group. The draw of the teams in the group of Egypt and Algeria returned all teams to the first place. The draw of Egypt home is considered a loss and restored the chance of Algeria to 0. However, for the loss of Morocco, it will be psychological. So change will restore the spirit of the team and they shouldn't fall in the same mistake. (The Saudi national team had a competent coach, son of the nation, the jewel which achieved good results in the past, was unable to achieve good results in the final qualifications to the world cup. The Saudi team lost 8 points out of 12 including 5 home. Half-way in the league, the coach resigned or was dismissed. Anyway, he was substituted by a successful coach who achieved two victories in two important games which restored the team to competition and it became near qualification to the World Cup 2010). So change is necessary. Engineer Hasan Al bahkali.
hassan amazigh Posted 2009-04-05
Now that Hosni Benslimane has gone, I wish happiness to all managers waiting for the return of the great coach Baddou Zaki; let the French and Arabs go to hell.
maghribi Posted 2009-04-05
This is always our situation with foreigners.
slaoui mohmmed naïm Posted 2009-04-11
I am of the opinion that how the players from the Moroccan championships will be drafted will bring a lot of pride to the Moroccans. Morocco’s product will be well represented at the global level. In order to have a championship, all types of players are vital: players must be well trained intellectually, morally and technically. Foreigners that can offer us an advantage are welcome. Competitiveness, Moroccan-style and professionalism will make the difference. We just need to get to work!
radi Posted 2009-04-11
Is death not existing or is football the record of good deeds in life? We have forgotten our region, forgotten ourselves; death will track us and punishment awaits us. Don't we see that Satan is enticing us?
Salah Posted 2009-04-16
Put Baddou Zaki back as a coach. period
khaled Posted 2009-04-17
My name is Khaled. I think that the Moroccans have somewhat underestimated their adversary, Algeria. I hope the make a comeback in Gabon, but they first of all need a Moroccan coach who understands the mentality of the Moroccans and their nationalism. Good luck, my dear neighbours!
نهر Posted 2009-05-12
Eh guys, I have been encouraging the Moroccan national team since 1998 and after that. The team is witnessing failures beginning with failure to qualify to the world cup 2002, the African cup 2002, world cup 2006 then failure in African cup 2006 and African cup 2008. now, when Morocco failed in front of Gabon, I was very angry. Enough Morocco. Where are you? Where is your force? What is this Gabon which defeated you? What happened? Why? I encourage you and you always fail. Please restore our trust and defeat Cameroon. I swear this will be the last time I encourage Morocco. If Morocco fails, I will never encourage them all my life. Don’t be upset with my words. This is just because I am very sad and I no longer bear these failures. Finally, I tell you I am from Bahrain. I hope to see Bahrain and Morocco together in the world cup.
عمر Posted 2009-05-22
The problem in my opinion is the absence of future visions about football governance.
idem Posted 2009-09-04
Even though the Gabon team had some trouble coming about, nowadays you can agree with me that it has attained a quality that many teams have not. Some of the players are more experienced and others are in their prime. This is the reason that the team is ranked third in Africa. Underestimating this team means you do not know the players that compose it.
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