International Football
MOROCCO BANKS ON BOUTAIB FOR RUSSIA 2018 TICKET
Morocco’s Khalid Boutaib is the man of the moment. With hope initially fading and Morocco was at the brink of missing out again at the World Cup, a stage the team last graced at France ’98, then came a sudden life line from a late starter to professional and international football.
His name is Khalid Boutaib. It was his hat-trick against Gabon that has put his country in vantage position for the World Cup qualification.
The situation was even assisted by their most dreaded opposition, Cote d’Ivoire which they were initially trailing by a point.
Then came the sudden slip. Group leaders, Cote d’Ivoire were forced to a goalless draw in Bamako by Mali while Boutaib exploded with a hat-trick against Gabon to push Morocco a point ahead of Cote d’Ivoire.
As FIFA.com illustrated it, the situation of Cote d’Ivoire playing goalless with Mali, inched open the door for Morocco. But it was Khalid Boutaib with his hat-trick who kicked it wide open.
Those goals knocked out Gabon from the race and kept Morocco’s chances very much alive. They can now afford to draw in Abidjan on Saturday and still qualify for Russia 2018.
“We absolutely wanted to beat Gabon at home to tackle the last match in Abidjan with a chance to qualify,” Boutaib told FIFA.com. “There was a lot at stake because the Gabonese had to win if they wanted their chances to stay alive. We took advantage of the Mali draw and now we are in a good position.
“To score three goals, in a game as important as the one against Gabon and in the Casablanca stadium, where there is a great atmosphere, was a great moment.
“I felt a lot of joy and pride. I had already scored once in the 6-0 victory against Mali at the end of August. But these three goals allowed us to take three points and lead the group.”
Born in France to parents of Moroccan descent, the 30-year-old played his first game in the French second division for Gazelec Ajaccio in the 2014/5 season, having previously played for lower league clubs. He helped the side to promotion at the end of that campaign and was a regular as the club struggled in the top flight. He then moved on to Strasbourg, where he scored 20 goals in Ligue 2 last season, prompting Turkish Super Lig side Yeni Malatyaspor to snap him up.
Boutaib is a relatively late starter on the international stage, having only made his Morocco debut in 2016, but is now hoping to lead the line on the biggest stage of all: the World Cup.
“We have our destiny in our hands,” Boutaib said. “We do not need to worry about the result of the match between Mali and Gabon. It is of course a good thing, to be in good position just before a decisive match like this. But we know that it will be very difficult.
“Playing away from home, facing one of the best African teams, is not easy. There will be most of the stadium against us, even though we will have fans there to support us. We must expect a match with a lot of commitment, because the stakes are huge.”
He is aware of the expectations surrounding the qualifying campaign. “Moroccans love football, and they really want us to make it to Russia,” Boutaib continued. “If we qualify, there will be a lot of joy. Before I became an international, even I was eager for the team to make it to the finals. So I can understand the impatience of the fans.”
Boutaib believes that having a one-point lead is not the only advantage they have. “Our coach Herve Renard was African champion with Côte d’Ivoire two years ago,” Boutaib said. “He knows some of the players. After the match against Gabon, he did not want too much talk about the Ivorians.
“He first asked us to work well in our clubs. We will talk about the opponents when we meet up. I trust the coach to prepare us well. He knows Africa very well and is still highly regarded in Côte d’Ivoire.”
For Boutaib, the chance of appearing on football’s greatest stage would be something special. “It would be fabulous to qualify for the World Cup. This is the dream of every professional player.
“I have only played internationally for two years. I have already played at the Nations Cup and now I hope I can participate at the World Cup.”
Nigeria’s Super Eagles put up a spirited performance but were edged 2-1 by Portugal in an international friendly at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The match served as Portugal’s final tune-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and offered the Nigerians a chance to test themselves against one of Europe’s leading sides led by veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Pedro Neto broke the deadlock, firing past Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after a lively opening period in which both teams created opportunities.
The Super Eagles responded positively and were rewarded eight minutes before halftime when striker Akor Adams found the equaliser. The goal capped an impressive Nigerian fightback and ensured the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
Ronaldo, making a rare appearance against Nigeria, started the match and remained on the pitch until the 67th minute. The 41-year-old was given a standing ovation by the home crowd when he was replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.
Portugal made several changes after the interval as coach Roberto Martinez rotated his squad in preparation for the World Cup. Despite the substitutions, the hosts continued to press for a winner.
Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Francisco Conceição struck the decisive goal, restoring Portugal’s lead and ultimately securing victory for the European side.
Nigeria battled to find another equaliser in the closing stages but Portugal’s defence held firm to preserve the 2-1 result.
The defeat means Portugal have now won both meetings between the two countries. Their first encounter came in Lisbon in November 2022, when the Portuguese recorded a convincing 4-0 victory in a pre-World Cup friendly.
While the result will disappoint Nigerian supporters, the Super Eagles can take encouragement from their resilient display against one of the teams widely tipped to make a strong impact at the World Cup. Akor Adams’ goal and Nigeria’s competitive showing against a star-studded Portuguese side provided positive signs as the team continues its rebuilding process under the national team set-up.
For Portugal, the victory provides a confidence boost as they head to North America, where they hope their talented midfield and experienced squad can propel them to a successful World Cup campaign.
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the starting line-up when the Selecao take on Nigeria in an international friendly match which kicks off in a few minutes tonight.
The 41-year-old forward, who remains a key figure in the Portuguese national team, has been named among the starters as Portugal continue preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures.
Ronaldo’s inclusion is expected to add further excitement to the encounter, with Nigerian fans eager to see one of football’s greatest players in action against the Super Eagles.
The match offers Nigeria another opportunity to test themselves against top European opposition, while Portugal will look to sharpen their squad ahead of future international assignments.
Kick-off is scheduled for later tonight, with both teams expected to field strong line-ups in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Portugal will meet for only the second time at the senior level when they clash in an international friendly in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The encounter comes under remarkably similar circumstances to their first meeting in November 2022, when Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon just days before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Once again, Portugal are using Nigeria as their final warm-up match before the World Cup. Four years ago, the Portuguese selected the Super Eagles to prepare for a group-stage clash against Ghana, the team that denied Nigeria a place at Qatar 2022.
History appears to be repeating itself. This time, Portugal are preparing for a World Cup opening fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, another team that shattered Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions by eliminating the Super Eagles from the qualification race.
The match at the 29,000-capacity Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa offers Nigeria an opportunity to avenge the heavy defeat suffered four years ago and test themselves against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has assembled a star-studded squad featuring five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leão and João Félix.
The Portuguese head into the encounter unbeaten in their last four matches, having recorded victories over the United States and Chile while drawing with Mexico.
Nigeria, under coach Eric Chelle, have also enjoyed an impressive run. Since taking charge 15 months ago, the Franco-Malian tactician has overseen 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in regulation time.
With both teams carrying impressive recent records, Wednesday’s friendly promises to be far more competitive than the scoreline from their last meeting suggests.
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