AS Roma boss Jose Mourinho has revealed how African giants Morocco proved him wrong in their surprise 2022 FIFA World Cup win over Portugal.
Walid Regragui's men wrote their name into the history books when they became the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals with their surprise 1-0 win over A Selecao on the weekend.
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The Atlas Lions are yet to be beaten at this year's tournament and have conceded just once – an own goal against Canada in the group stage.
After the final whistle against Portugal, tributes poured in from all around the world lauding the African side for their unexpected feat.
Mourinho has now joined in, giving praise to Regragui for proving him wrong while also highlighting some individuals who shone so far.
"When I saw the game [against Portugal] starting and the team without [Noussair] Mazraoui and [Nayef] Aguerd, I thought problems for Morocco but it was not a problem," the Portuguese manager said, per Goal.
"When I saw [Romain] Saiss in the beginning of the second half, their captain, their leader, the centre-back, a crucial position in that kind of match, when I saw him leave also injured, I thought big problems for them but it was not a problem.
"The coach organised the team very well, starting with 4-3-3, he was able to change during the game to 5-4-1.
"He saw the danger, he saw Portugal accumulating lots of players in finishing areas and he found a way to control the game.
"They have individuals, [goalkeeper Yassine] Bounou was an individual during the competition and in this game was the same; [Sofyan] Amrabat, I know him from Italian football, very good player but their No. 8, the young boy that plays in France in Angers, [Azzedine] Ounahi was absolutely incredible.
"So, they have players, a coach and an incredible spirit."
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The Atlas Lions will meet France in the semi-finals on Wednesday, and the African side could be quietly confident after getting the better of big names such as Belgium, Spain and Portugal already in Qatar.
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