His nation is in diplomatic disaster with Morocco, however that’s not stopping Tunisian Wissam Sultani supporting the primary ever Arab or African staff to succeed in a FIFA World Cup semi-final.
ALSO READ | EX-CHIEFS MAN MOVES ON FROM ‘DISAPPOINTING’ SUNDOWNS STINT
“There’s no politics on the pitch. Supporting an Arab country, whichever one, is a duty when it gets to this stage of a tournament,” stated Sultani, a 41-year-old greengrocer in Tunis, capital of the North African nation.
“Football brings people together, but politics divides them.”
Morocco’s “Lions of the Atlas”, who beat Portugal on Saturday to succeed in the ultimate 4, will face former colonial energy France on Wednesday.
They may have the backing of many followers throughout Africa and the Arab world.
READ | CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW: SUNDOWNS IN GROUP B WITH AL AHLY
Three African groups – Cameroon, Ghana and Senegal – have made it to the quarter-finals since 1990, however Morocco is the primary ever to succeed in the semis.
Sultani is one in every of many Tunisians supporting the staff – with little regard for a diplomatic stand-off between their two governments over the disputed Western Sahara territory.
Morocco withdrew its ambassador from Tunis in August after Tunisian President Kais Saied welcomed the top of the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for the Western Sahara.
ALSO READ | ANOTHER FORMER ORLANDO PIRATES STAR VENTURES INTO COACHING
Morocco, which known as Saied’s act “hostile”, sees the mineral-rich desert area as a sovereign a part of its personal territory.
“Political problems end when the match starts,” stated Tunis lemon service provider Hamza Ayari, aged 35. “What’s important is to see the Arab team win”.
ALSO READ | SAFA WANTS PSL FOREIGN QUOTA POLICY REVIEWED
In a close-by Tunis road, a sports activities store performs Moroccan folks songs to draw clients, and the purple jersey of the Moroccan staff is the spotlight of the show.
Tunisia’s media hailed the Moroccan victory over Portugal in glowing phrases.
“The kingdom of courage has struck again by taking Portugal out after Spain,” the La Presse newspaper wrote.
‘Stand up to France’
Even in the dominion’s arch-rival Algeria – which didn’t qualify for the match – many have celebrated the Moroccan wins.
Official media has remained silent, however the non-public press has heaped reward on the staff.
“The Atlas Lions were able to count on an iron defence to reach the last four. Solidity and efficiency, the ingredients for success,” Algeria’s Reporters newspaper wrote.
Algiers public servant Salim, 45, stated Moroccans and Algerians “ignore political differences” between their governments.
“The Algerians are with the Moroccan team”, he stated, noting each North African nations have been residence to the Berber folks.
Tunisian sociologist Mohamed Jouili stated the support for Morocco throughout North Africa was partly as a consequence of a shared historical past of French colonialism.
“The countries of this region can’t compete with France economically, militarily or geopolitically,” Jouili stated.
“But they can stand up to France for 90 minutes on a football pitch and even beat it,” he stated, alluding to Tunisia’s victory over France in the course of the group levels.
Arab followers have additionally thrown their weight behind Morocco as its gamers have raised the Palestinian flag – regardless of Rabat normalising relations with Israel in December 2020.
In Senegal, Rabat is usually accused of abuses in opposition to African migrants who journey north via Morocco on the best way to Europe.
But Senegalese President Macky Sall – who additionally heads the African Union – hailed the staff’s “historic” qualification for the semi-final.
Civil society determine Alioune Tine additionally urged Senegalese to support the staff and hang around Moroccan flags.
“Bringing the World Cup to Africa is now close to reality,” he wrote on Twitter.
In Nigeria, nationwide star Jay-Jay OkoMorocco wins Africa support in World Cup clash with Franccha, who used to play for Paris Saint Germain, stated that “the French team are dominated by players who have their roots in Africa, but Africa will be solidly behind Morocco to go past them and get to the World Cup final”.
That sentiment reaches even so far as South Africa, which didn’t get past the group levels when it hosted the match in 2010.
“I’ve become a big supporter of the Lions of the Atlas,” stated younger fan Monthati Molosankwein in Johannesburg.
“Even if they only have a slim chance against the title-holders France, nothing is impossible”.
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse