By Kunle Solaja

Nearly three decades after Brazil ended Morocco’s 1998 World Cup campaign with a 3-0 victory in France, the Atlas Lions have a chance to settle an old score when the two nations meet again in Group C.

The teams have met only once before at a World Cup, when goals from Brazilian stars Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Bebeto secured victory in Nantes.

Morocco have never defeated South American opposition at the World Cup, having also suffered a 3-0 loss to Peru in 1970. Yet the current generation has repeatedly shattered barriers that once appeared impossible.

The Atlas Lions arrive unbeaten in their last four World Cup group-stage matches, having won two and drawn two during their memorable run in Qatar. Another positive result against Brazil would further cement their reputation as one of world football’s emerging powers.

For many Moroccan supporters, the match represents more than just a group-stage fixture. It is an opportunity to demonstrate how far the national team has progressed since its previous World Cup encounters with football’s traditional giants.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

By Kunle Solaja, Vancouver

The sounds of singing, dancing and blaring vuvuzelas transformed a training ground in Houston into a slice of Africa as Democratic Republic of Congo supporters gathered in large numbers to cheer their team ahead of a historic return to the FIFA World Cup.

The Congolese national team will begin their Group K campaign against Portugal on Wednesday, marking their first appearance at football’s biggest tournament in 52 years.

The last time the Central African nation competed at the World Cup was in 1974 under the name Zaire. That campaign ended painfully, with three defeats, no goals scored, and 14 conceded. But supporters watching the team’s preparations in Houston believe this generation can write a very different story.

Among the most colourful fans was Dada Muzinga, who wore a clown mask topped with bright red hair as he celebrated his country’s long-awaited return to the global stage.

“I am really happy, man,” Muzinga said. “It’s a long time. I’m 40 years old, but I have never seen the World Cup with my country. I am excited. I know it is going to be really good.”

Muzinga also had a message for Portugal captain and football icon Cristiano Ronaldo, who is expected to lead his side against DR Congo.

“This message is to Cristiano Ronaldo,” he said. “We don’t want any penalties, no red cards. We want to play to the end. Then we will see who wins the game.”

The lively atmosphere at training reflected the growing optimism among Congolese supporters, who believe their team can compete strongly in a group that also includes Colombia and Uzbekistan.

Twenty-four-year-old teacher Claude Byiringiro could barely hide his excitement as he watched the players train.

“I follow the team, and I am really excited it is happening here in Houston,” he said. “I feel like we have a good squad and the chemistry is getting better. Hopefully, we can go far this time.”

For Byiringiro, the experience was especially meaningful because he had spent years watching many of the players from afar.

“These are the players you grew up watching on TV, and now you get to see them represent your country. Not only that, you get to see them live. The way they move the ball is amazing. It feels unreal.”

As the discussion turned to how far the team could progress, confidence among supporters reached a fever pitch. One fan shouted, “All the way to the final,” triggering loud cheers from the crowd gathered around the training session.

DR Congo’s World Cup participation has provided a welcome source of national pride at a difficult time for the country. The tournament comes amid an Ebola outbreak that has cast a shadow over parts of the nation, with hundreds of confirmed cases and significant loss of life reported.

For many Congolese supporters in Houston, however, football offers a rare moment of unity and hope as they prepare to watch their country return to the world’s biggest sporting stage after more than five decades away.

The challenge begins against Portugal on Wednesday, when the jubilant supporters who have brought Africa’s vibrant spirit to Texas will hope their team can announce its return with a memorable result.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

By Kunle Solaja, Vancouver, Canada

Ghana has strongly condemned Canada’s decision to deny midfielder Thomas Partey a visa ahead of the Black Stars’ FIFA World Cup Group L match against Panama, describing the move as “high-handed and extremely unfair.”

In a statement issued on Saturday, Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that it had formally lodged a diplomatic protest with Canadian authorities, urging them to reconsider the decision, which it believes was influenced by pending criminal proceedings involving the player in Britain.

Partey, 32, a former Arsenal midfielder now playing for Spanish club Villarreal, faces allegations of rape and sexual assault in the United Kingdom. The Ghana international has consistently denied all charges, and no judicial determination has yet been made in the case.

The visa denial means Partey will be unavailable for Ghana’s crucial World Cup encounter against Panama in Canada next week. However, he remains eligible to play in Ghana’s subsequent Group L matches against England in Boston and Croatia in Philadelphia, both in the United States.

The Ghanaian government argued that Canada’s action undermines the principle of presumed innocence.

“The Government of the Republic of Ghana expresses strong reservations following the high-handed and extremely unfair decision by Canada,” the ministry said.

“While respecting Canada’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, Ghana considers that reliance on unproven charges in the absence of a judicial determination raises fundamental questions of fairness and proportionality.”

According to the ministry, an official diplomatic note was dispatched on Thursday requesting a review of the decision.

Canadian immigration authorities, however, defended their position. A spokesperson for Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship department told Reuters that hosting a major sporting event does not exempt individuals from existing immigration regulations.

“Every person seeking to come to Canada is assessed individually, based on the facts available and the law that applies,” the spokesperson said.

World football governing body, FIFA, distanced itself from the controversy, stating that immigration decisions remain entirely within the jurisdiction of host nations.

The Partey case is the latest in a series of immigration-related disputes to emerge during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being jointly hosted by Canada, United States and Mexico.

Earlier this week, Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry into the United States, where he had been scheduled to officiate during the tournament. An official from the administration of Donald Trump said U.S. authorities had uncovered what they described as an “association with suspected members of terror organisations.”

Artan later returned to Somalia, where he described the visa setback as a matter of fate and encouraged fellow Somalis not to be discouraged by the incident.

The absence of Partey is a significant setback for Ghana, whose World Cup campaign has already attracted considerable attention. The midfielder remains a key figure in Black Stars history, notably scoring the decisive goal that eliminated Nigeria from qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Ghana will now have to navigate its opening World Cup fixture against Panama without one of its most experienced players as diplomatic efforts continue to overturn Canada’s decision.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H