Soccer fans in Kebbi have expressed optimism that African representatives at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will go far, possibly reach the final.
They made their position known while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi shortly after the final whistle of the game between Morocco and Canada which ended 2-1 in favour of the Africans on Thursday.
Malam Garba Mohammed, a football fan, said he was highly impressed with the tactics exhibited by the North Africans.
“This has opened a door for Africa to aim higher as far as the tournament is concerned. We believe with this kind of resilience shown by Moroccans, many more successes await them.
“We pray they will sustain the tempo in their subsequent matches so that they advance to next stage by beating England in the round of 16,” he advised.
Another fan, Mr Olarenwaju Lawal said: “For Morocco to top group F means a big achievement not only for Arab or North African countries but it’s an achievement to the entire African continent.
“This achievement has now paved the way for African countries to reach not only round of 16 but also a clear way to reach quarter finals, semi finals and possibly final.
“We pray other African representatives will do the continent proud by winning their last group matches. We now look up to Ghana vs Uraguay and Cameroon vs Brazil and we expect nothing less than victory in last matches.”
On his part, Malam Nuhu Muhammad-Tukur said the ongoing World Cup in Qatar, which had already produced two African nations in the round of 16, remained a blessing to the region and appealed to other sister African countries in the tournament to brace up.
He explained that African football had now come of age, assuring that contingents from the region were now ready to face any nation with neither fear nor favour.
Musa Babale, also a football fan, described the victory of African side over Canada as a laudable achievement that needed the support and encouragement of all Africans.
“Morocco needs our support and encouragement to be able to go higher and higher. The win is not only theirs but ours, we have to celebrate; we are all happy for this development, it is our desire that all the African representatives will qualify to the round of 16.
“We also pray that they will be at the quarter finals, semi finals and subsequently final,” he said. (NAN)