Moroccan head coach Walid Regragui has hit back at those who were against the inclusion of players born outside the North African country.
Yaccine Bonou born in Canada, Hakim Ziyech born in Netherlands, Achraf Hakimi born in Spain, Sofyan Amrabat born in Netherlands and Mazraoui also born in Netherlands were among the heroes of the day as the Atlas Lions knocked out Spain on penalties to progress to the quarter finals of the World Cup.
“I fought this a lot of times. Before this World Cup we had a lot of problems about guys born in Morocco and Europe. Sometimes people, including some journalists in this room, said “these guys don’t love Morocco, why not play with the guys born in Morocco?” Regragui stated.
“We showed to the world that every Moroccan is Moroccan, when he comes with the national team he wants to die, wants to fight.”
“I was born in France but nobody can take my heart from my country. My players give 100 per cent. Some players were born in Germany, some in Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, France and every country has a football culture. You make this milkshake with that and get to the quarter-finals.”
Morocco will face Portugal in the quarter finals of the competition as the Navigators beat Switzerland 6-1.
