Algerian Author Praises Morocco’s World Cup Success, Uniting African and Arab Pride

It is on his Facebook page that the Algerian author and writer Mohammed Moulessehoul, better known by his pseudonym Yasmina Kadhra, congratulated the Moroccan players for having propelled their country, the African continent and the Arab world into football. "Bravo to you, Atlas Lions. You have been immense in courage and self-denial and you have imposed respect all over the planet," wrote the novelist.

For him, the players deserve the respect of all for having taken up the challenge despite the polls that did not see them reaching the round of 16. "Charming, elegant, you have aroused enthusiasm in the stadiums, in the bars and on the public squares and raised the prestige of this huge sporting event by a notch, winning the admiration of the great and the small. You have been the most sympathetic team, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful revelations of the last decades."

By reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup, Morocco encourages other African nations to redouble their efforts to equal or surpass it. "In addition to making Morocco loved in every home on earth, you have unblocked the whole of Africa. From now on, thanks to your exploit, no nation called to grapple in the World Cup will come to make up the numbers or be content with a round of 16. Come back home safely, you have conquered hearts and minds and engraved your place in the legend of football."