For the first time in a long time, the Moroccan national team is firing on all cylinders. On Monday evening, the Atlas Lions took a monumental step in regaining the long gone trust of their supporters ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.
By dismissing Kenya 3-0, coach Badou Zaki’s men displayed an elevated level of play that those in the Maghreb had not witnessed for several years.
And Monday’s win was no one-off – the Kenya match was Morocco’s third consecutive victory, having previously triumphed over Libya and the Central African Republic in similar fashion. But all of Zaki’s good work might be in vain as the Ebola virus has threatened next year’s edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Last Friday, Morocco’s Ministry of Youth and Sport issued a press release petitioning the Confederation of African Football to postpone the upcoming continental competition in light of the global Ebola pandemic.
The appeal comes as the Ebola death rate rose from 50 percent to 70 percent and the World Health Organization anticipates up to 10,000 new cases by early December. Already nearly 4,500 people have died from the disease in West African countries of Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Nigeria and the carnage seems not to have an end any time soon.
Minister of Health, Mohamed Ouzzine, has proposed three options to the CAF: 1) Delay the tournament six months to see if the pandemic dies down, 2) Play the tournament in early 2016, or 3) Move the tournament to another location and bestow the rights to Morocco for the 2017 competition.
“Together (with the CAF) we will examine the best possible solution. This request is justified by the worries of the World Health Organization,” Ouzzine added.
On the surface, Morocco’s concern might seem gratuitous considering state-owned airline Royal Air Maroc is one of just three companies still operating charter flights to Ebola-struck Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation also agreed to host Guinea’s home matches during the qualifying campaigns, despite Guinea’s latest squad listed two local players.
Yet upon clarification, the government’s main gripe is the imminent influx of supporters, overwhelming the country’s medical facilities.
“It is still too early to speak of any definitive decision. But we’re talking about a great number of incoming supporters: 100, 000, 200, 000, or even 300, 000. We are not equipped for that, and I don’t think any other country is equipped to follow and control such a number,” Ouzzine said.
But the cabinet minister’s plea has fallen on deaf ears, as CAF President Issa Hayatou quickly denied the possibility of setting back the tournament.
“We have taken into account the recommendations of the World Health Organization and various medical experts. It should be noted that since the first edition in 1957 no Africa Cup of Nations has ever been postponed or deferred,” a statement from the football governing body’s official website said.
However, the Moroccan government are equally entrenched in their position and it seems increasingly likely that no middle ground will emerge.
Ouzzine was not satisfied with the CAF’s reasoning, stating, “The CAF’s response is not satisfactory. While it’s true the Africa Cup of Nations has never been postponed, we have never had to deal with Ebola.”
If no compromise is established, the CAF will search for another nation to host the tournament. Pre-eminent whispers in the African media suggest South Africa are favourites to replace the North African nation, should it be necessary. The 2010 World Cup hosts housed the 2013 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations and possess the necessary infrastructure to host it again.
The silver lining in this conflict is that both sides are willing to voice their concerns at the bargaining table.
“We are in contact with Issa Hayatou. We will hold one or several meetings with him to try and find a solution. We are not ready to gamble with the health of Africans,” Ouzzine said.
A final decision will materialize on November 2nd, when the CAF Executive Committee convenes in Algiers. Refusing to host the games would not only disqualify the Moroccan national team, it might also serve as grounds to exact heavy-handed sanctions.
And it would be the Atlas Lions who have the most to lose from a possible annulment.
Following the 3-0 victory against Kenya on Monday, Zaki addressed a possible postponement, hinting he would address the potential delay by inviting global footballing superpowers like Argentina or Portugal. Yet glamorous friendly matches might very well be the only football Moroccan supporters may look forward to should talks fall through.
