Africans living in Morocco described Morocco's win against Spain in the FIFA World Cup on Tuesday as a victory and pride for Africa and the Arab world.
Morocco's World Cup success a victory for Africa
Morocco players celebrate their victory over Spain during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Morocco and Spain, in Qatar, , Qatar, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022.
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Abbie Parr/Copyright 2022 The AP. All rights reserved
The first World Cup held in an Arab nation has produced the Arab world’s first quarter finalist.
Morocco became only the fourth African country to reach the quarterfinals at the biggest soccer tournament in the world by beating Spain 3-0 in a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw through extra time.
"It’s a matter of pride for Morocco, but it’s also a reason for Africa to be proud because since 2010, we did not reach the stage of the quarter-final," said Serge Tonto, A Togolese student living in Rabat.
The Moroccans were playing in only their second knockout game at a World Cup, an event which is being held in the Middle East for the first time in its nearly 100-year history.
For Fattoumata Jarbi, a Gambian student also living in Rabat, she said: "I had my Moroccan hat with me. I was screaming and jumping in my room when I knew they qualified to the quarter-final."
In other countries across the Arab world and Africa, people took to the streets to celebrate Morocco's advance advance in the tournament.