Odion Ighalo, former Super Eagles striker, has tipped Morocco to shock Portugal when they meet in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar on Saturday.
Morocco turned out as the second African team after the Super Eagles of Nigeria to beat Spain at the World Cup after they emerged victorious over the 2018 winner on penalties. Morocco beat the European giant 3-0 on spot kicks after a barren draw.
The North African side is the fourth African team to reach the quarter-final of the World Cup. Each of the previous teams to have reached this stage did not progress further, with Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002), and Ghana (2010) being knocked out in agonizing circumstances.
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Prior to Saturday’s (today) showdown against Portugal, Ighalo who plays for Al Hilal striker, concedes that the Atlas Lions of Morocco have what it takes to be the first African team to make it to the semi-final of the global football showpiece.
Morocco has met Portugal twice at the World Cup with the North African team beating Portugal 3-1 in 1986 while Portugal defeated Morocco 1-0 in the 2018 edition in France.
Speaking on Morocco’s chance, Ighalo told Athletic, “Against Portugal (in the last eight) it’s going to be tough but in football, anything can happen.
“Names don’t play football — if you work hard and give everything on the field you have every chance to get through, so one mistake could cost any team. So I wish
“Morocco all the best, but as an African, I hope the best side wins.”
Source: Punch