Former Super Eagles captain Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has heaped plaudits on the resolute Moroccan national team following their 3-0 win over 2010 world champions, Spain via penalties in the round of 16.
The North Africans have never reached the last eight of the tournament but has now joined Cameroon, Senegal and Ghana as only African teams to reach the quarterfinals.
The game had ended goalless in 120 minutes of football dominated by Luis Enrique’s side with penalties required to settle the contest.
Okocha on Supersport duties as one of the international analysts praised the Atlas Lions’ desire to defend against one of the best teams in the world.
“They have done ever so well. Well deserved (win) as well.. It takes a lot of courage… It takes a lot to defend for over 120 minutes without losing focus, without losing concentration.
“They deserve every bit of luck because penalties can go either way but what a performance and congratulations,” the onetime PSG midfielder said on SuperSport.
Speaking further on the penalty shootout, Okocha noted the belief in Sevilla’s Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou who kept out the kicks to win the game.
“From the body language of the keeper, he trusts himself, he’s very confident. He trusts in his ability.
“It looked like this is the only way they could have won the game because they got battered when it came to possession play but when your game is to defend, you should at least have some qualities when it gets to penalties. And that’s what they showed,” the Nigerian who played at the 1994,1998 and 2002 World Cups stated.
On the impact of the win, Okocha insisted that Morocco’s feat should get the African continent more slots at the next World Cup in 2026.
“It’s all about Africa. We’ve got a team in the quarterfinals which perhaps gives us maybe a better slot in the next World Cup,” he said.” You want to see an African team progress and we’re happy that Morocco is through – and respect because of the way they did it.
“How can you have 21% possession and two shots? Spain had over 70% and one shot on target. It shows organization, it shows discipline, it shows how to play to your strengths. Deservedly they won the game. Well deserved,” Okocha concluded.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
