Confidence runs high in London’s Little Morocco as Afcon glory beckons | London
L.ondon’s Little Morocco is brimming with pride and anticipation. The Moroccan diaspora in North Kensington has no doubt that the Atlas Lions will beat Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday.
“There’s not just an excitement, it’s completely taken over everything else,” said Souad Talsi, who runs the Al-Hasaniya Moroccan women’s center at the base of the 31-storey Trellick Tower at the northern end of Golborne Road.
He added: “There’s a lot of gloom and doom around at the moment and people are overwhelmed about Gaza, but football has given us a respite from it all. It’s completely united the Moroccan diaspora and given us a sense of purpose and belonging.”
Mohamed Chelh said that if Morocco wins, they will lift the Afcon cup for the first time since 1976, and it will be a tournament that even he cannot remember.
Sipping mint tea in the Trellick Lounge cafe after Friday prayers, he said: “They should win. They’ve got the best team.” He pointed out Morocco’s success in the last World Cup by reaching the semi-finals and beating Spain and Portugal.
Chelh, who works in a bakery, plans to go to Trafalgar Square to celebrate Morocco’s expected victory.
A large screen at the back of the cafe, Trellick Lounge, shows all of Morocco’s matches in the tournament so far. On Friday, 48 hours before Sunday’s match, a preparation program was broadcast on the Maghreb TV satellite channel. A screen will also be set up on the street outside the cafe on Sunday.
Ali Bayan, who runs the cafe, estimates that hundreds of people will come to the final. “There will be even more out there,” he said.
Mohamed, a retired gardener, said he could hear the celebrations in the cafe from his flat down the street as Morocco won on penalties against Nigeria in the semi-final.
“It was a nice atmosphere. They were really happy. And I’m very proud. I love Morocco, my mom and dad are there. And I love them playing well and winning.”
At Hakim’s cafe, just down Golborne Road, courier Yassim said: “I’m in great spirits. I believe we will win. We beat Nigeria and they are the toughest team in the tournament. Whether it’s 90 minutes or 120 minutes, we’re going to win.”
After a couscous meal, Talsi plans to watch the match with her extended family, including her 85-year-old mother, her brothers and her children.
“Football reminds us that people are not always bad, that people can come together and forget their differences. Whether you are an international trader or a cleaner, all they want is for Morocco to win.”
“This also broke down the gender barrier. The semi-final had an outdoor screen and there were as many loud girls as there were loud boys.”
Lailah Khallouk, senior outreach officer at the women’s centre, said: “I hate football but I love watching the Moroccan team. There is a lot of excitement and a lot of organization about where to watch the game – in cafes, social clubs or house parties.”
“My 11-year-old son Adam is passionate about it, he’s like a professional fan.
“This is something that brings us all together. It’s a wonderful event, despite our place of birth, our ages, our social classes. In the end, we have something to be proud of.”
Uber driver Mohamed Rhiam has just returned from visiting relatives in Casablanca. “The atmosphere was crazy. There will be huge disappointment if they lose because everyone is involved now. But we will win.”
Rhiam witnessed protests ahead of the tournament over the amount of money spent on stadiums instead of public services. “I share these concerns. I believe the money they spend could have benefited the economy more. But football still makes me proud.”
Asked if the Afcon win could make up for the disappointment of the last World Cup, Rhiam said: “It wasn’t a disappointment, we got through to the semi-finals.”
