“I thank […] King Mohammed VI, Fouzi Lekjaa, Abdeslam Belkchour and Abdellatif El Mouktarid for their support,” said Ilyas El Maliki during the reception ceremony organized in honor of the members of the Moroccan national team by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and the Professional League.
Morocco was eliminated in the semi-finals of the Kings World Cup on Friday after losing to Colombia 2-1 as they aspired to win the title. “We aspired to win the title, but reaching the semi-finals is not an easy task, especially for a first participation in this competition,” said the captain of the Atlas Lions.
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He continued: “This was done despite the circumstances surrounding our preparations, including the impact of my incarceration on the players, the delay in the delegation’s travel to Italy and their arrival at their destination only a day before the start of the competition. However, Fouzi Lekjaa rectified the situation thanks to mediation from El Mouktarid, which ensured the necessary support and some equipment for the group. »
-During the ceremony, El Maliki confided about the match against the United States. The Moroccan selection snatched their place in the semi-finals of the Kings League World Cup, defeating the United States in a penalty shootout, after a spectacular 7-7 draw. “Fouzi Lekjaa contacted me on the day of the quarter-final match against the United States, and I informed the players. This had a motivating effect on the group, which contributed to our victory during this meeting,” confided the captain of the Morocco team.
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The Atlas Lions are entitled to a financial reward which they will receive from the organizer of the King’s League. “We have not yet received the financial reward, but it is expected that the majority will be awarded to Saïd El Aouni due to the circumstances,” El Maliki said. His wish, he will say, is that Morocco will host the Kings League World Cup in the near future. “God willing, the competition will be organized in Morocco. Fouzi Lekjaa confirmed it to me,” he further confided.
