Morocco’s Kings League Team Honored After Strong World Cup Showing

"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.

On Friday, Morocco was eliminated in the semi-finals of the Kings World Cup after losing 2-1 to Colombia, although it aspired to win the title. "We aspired to win the title, but reaching the semi-finals is no small feat, especially for a first participation in this competition," the captain of the Atlas Lions contented himself with saying.

He will continue: "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 its arrival at the destination only one day before the start of the competition. However, Fouzi Lekjaa rectified the situation thanks to mediation by El Mouktarid, which allowed for 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 its place in the semi-finals of the Kings League World Cup, by 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 in this match," revealed the captain of the Moroccan team.

The Atlas Lions are entitled to a financial reward that they will receive from the organizer of the King’s League. "We have not yet received the financial reward, but it is planned that the majority will be allocated to Saïd El Aouni due to the circumstances," El Maliki specified. His wish, he said, 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 this to me," he also confided.