Ivorian supporters cherished the Moroccan National Team victory that enabled them to advance to the Knockout stage, serenading the Atlas Lions from the stadium to their hotel and professing their love for King Mohammed VI, as reported by French outlet Le Figaro on Thursday.
The Ivorians supported the Moroccan team during the entire 90 minutes of the game at the stadium, wearing Moroccan jerseys, chanting “Thank you Morocco” (Merci le Maroc) and “Long Live King Mohammed VI” (Vive le Roi Mohammed VI).
The Moroccan victory gave hope to Cote d’Ivoire, the Cup organizer to stay alive at AFCON as the third best team in its division.
Wednesday evening, thanks to a goal from Hakim Ziyech, passion and hope finally returned. The Moroccan captain scored the only goal of the match against Zambia (1-0), bringing the Ivorian people back to life.
The two nations have exceptional ties which go far beyond football or athletics in general, which began with a friendship treaty signed in 1973, and are built on concrete, lasting collaboration. They are also underpinned by dozens of agreements in numerous sectors and portray a belief in a common future.
Relations between the two countries, stamped with the seal of mutual respect and constant mutual support over the decades, are reflected in a shared political will, resulting in this eloquent example of mutually advantageous and beneficial South-South Cooperation.
Côte d’Ivoire is leading the way by virtue of having appointed an honorary consul in Laâyoune on June 26, 2019.