Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Sunday Musings: On the Matter of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022*

My People:

I have not missed a single game.

I doubt Morocco can win the World Cup. I appreciate their excellent teamwork. They have lost four of their seniors to injuries. There are three limitations to their defensive strategies:

1. fatigue due to excessive pressure by the opponent:
2. Possibility of own goal in a scramble; and
3. finding a solution to the contrary strategy of France, which is an all attack.

The mid-field is where to watch on Wednesday as this holds the key to both sides

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From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Mobolaji Aluko <alukome@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 11, 2022 7:42:29 AM
To: USAAfrica Dialogue <USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com>; EGBE EKITIPANUPO <ekitipanupo@googlegroups.com>; Naija Politics <NaijaPolitics@yahoogroups.com>; OmoOdua <OmoOdua@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Sunday Musings: On the Matter of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022*

 

Sunday Musings:  On the Matter of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Qatar has turned out to be exciting, despite its beer-less stadia.  At this its Semi-Final stage, 

1.  Arising from the Group Stage, all the four teams in each of Groups A, B, E, G and H are out.

 2.  Left are Argentina in Group C, France in Group D and the two teams that emerged in Group F: Morocco and Croatia. (Belgium and Canada are the other Group F members).

3.  Both Morocco and Croatia have not lost a single match so far in the tournament.

4.  Only Canada has scored a goal against Morocco (in defeat 1-2).  All the others have drawn blanks - in a draw (Croatia) or in defeat (Belgium 0-2,  Spain 0-0 (pk 0-3) and Portugal 0-1).  

5   Ironically, Morocco has not spared the African   colonizers along its path - Belgium (of DR Congo), Spain (of Western Sahara, Spanish Morocco and Equatorial Guinea) and Portugal (of Angola).  Sweet revenge.  

6   Morocco still  has the opportunity of adding one more scalp to that trove - France, its main colonizer   (1912-1956) because Semi-finals are next Tuesday December 13 (Argentina vs. Croatia) and Wednesday December 14 (France vs. Morocco); Third Place on Saturday December 17, and Finals on Sunday December 18, a week from today.

7.  Who will win the World Cup?  I pray fervently that Morocco does - for the sake of our African continent, and courtesy of a solid Ziyech; for the sake of a mesmerizing Messi, an Argentinan win will not be bad;  Croatia may yet spring a surprise,  courtesy maestro Modric;  but it is most likely that France will retain the Cup, courtesy magnificent Mbappe.

There you have it.  We shall see.

Bolaji Aluko

December 11, 2022

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December 11, 2022

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