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France Vs Morocco: What French captain said about Atlas Lions -Anything can happen!
Everybody knows that France are favourites in Wednesday’s semifinal clash with Atlas Lions of Morocco at the Al Bayt Stadium, the magnificent edifice that hosted the opening ceremony of the ongoing World Cup.
However, followers of the game also know that at this stage of the World Cup anything can happen.
Any team that enjoys the benefits of their hard work and the benevolence such produces can not only be among the last two but also capable of winning the diadem. It is this belief and the wave from Arab world that have put everybody on the edge here in Qatar and beyond.
This is a World Cup full of surprises. This is the first World Cup in the Arab world, the first in the Middle East, the first time an African team would beat Brazil (Cameroun), the first time fans could watch two matches in a day (because of the proximity of the stadiums), the first World Cup one African country will maul down football giants – Belgium, Spain, Portugal – and the first time that same African country will reach semifinal.
And who says the surprise cannot continue? This is precisely why Hugo Lloris, the French captain who keeps for Tottenham said some hours ago that one would be making a mistake to assume that France would be coasting to the final with ease. A journalist had said that Morocco, having reached this far, would have nothing to lose against France. “I don’t think Morocco want to stop here (Semifinal). They want more victories. It’s all about heroism. They want more,” Hugo reacted in the last media interaction before the cracker.
There’s a feeling here that Morocco can continue the surprise song if they can stop Kylian Mbape. But was that not the mistake England made against France? Kyle Walker fared well marking Mbape but the French sensation sometimes moved away from the left flank, played deep and made good moves. That was how he created their first goal. Mbape may create goals for France if Morocco try to block him from running into their vital areas especially from the left where he usually plays. But can they? Whatever happens at Al Bayt, Morocco have done Africa proud. Getting to the semifinal of the World Cup in this style is a story that will be told and retold to generations. And they are not done yet. That’s the warning Hugo was sounding it while hoping they will successfully defend the World Cup. They are in Qatar as champions but Morocco have become the news here. Journalists are descending on African journalists at the media centre to speak on Morocco. More of their fans have stormed Qatar for the match against France.
The Arab world will be behind them. They are at home in Qatar. French fans will be many but Moroccan fans will be massive and noisy for the African heroes. Support from fans can motivate but may not win matches otherwise Peru would be here. Qatar fans are still missing them. Their last World qualifier last June was here against Australia. 30,000 fans from Peru sang, drummed and made the stadium warm for 90 minutes. Qatar fell in love with them. They won on the stands but lost on the pitch.
Fans wore long faces as they left the stadium. They wanted a repeat of their orchestra at the World Cup. Moroccan fans will outnumber those cheering France but the players will be the ones that will win the game. Morocco have a goal keeper, Yassine Bounou, who conceded only an own goal in regulation time here. He is a goal keeper that follows the ball in penalty shoot-outs rather than choose a side to dive to even before the kick like many goal keepers do. He will be a force against France. So will be Hakim Ziyech, Sofiane Boufal and captain Romain Saiss if he returns from injury.
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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