Europe 1 with AFP 7:57 p.m., December 20, 2022
Tens of thousands of Moroccans on Tuesday welcomed the Atlas Lions as heroes on their return to Rabat after an incredible epic that led them to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Qatar, an unprecedented feat for an African or Arab team.
After a particularly successful 2022 FIFA World Cup, Morocco's players were warmly welcomed by their supporters.
A dense, joyful crowd of all ages and backgrounds gathered at the end of the afternoon along the route taken by the red double-decker bus where Walid Regragui's men were perched, from the airport to the avenues from the center of the Moroccan capital.
"I came to celebrate the beautiful history of Morocco in the World Cup, and even if some decisions of the referees were not fair," said AFP Adam Najah, 27, a restaurant waiter who came expressly from Meknes. , more than 150 km from Rabat, to "live this historic day".
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Received by Mohammed VI
"I'm proud of the national team. Who knows? Maybe we'll win the cup next time," he hopes.
Waiting for hours, many supporters wore the flag and scarlet jerseys of the Cherifian kingdom.
In front of the station, they cracked smoke bombs amid the clamor, according to AFP journalists.
The entire team, which made all of Morocco dream and beyond its borders, was to be received in the evening by King Mohammed VI for "a ceremony of welcome and celebration in recognition of his historic achievement".