“Yeah, sing with me, sing for the year/Sing for the laughter, and sing for the tear/Sing it with me, if it's just for today/Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away/Dream on Dream on Dream on/Dream until the dream come true.”

Heroes every one of them.

For North Africa, indeed for Africa, and for Le Maroc, the dream was alive and well, even after an honorable defeat to star-studded reigning World Cup champions, France. Just by making it that far, the Atlas Lions made history becoming the first African team to contest a World Cup semi-final.

Morocco’s starting semifinal lineup versus World Cup champs, France was: Bono, Hakimi, Dari, Saïss, El Yamiq, Mazraoui, Ziyech, Ounahi, S Amrabat, Boufal, En-Nesyri. The whole squad, with 14 of the 26-man squad born overseas, were extremely well coached, fast and athletic, disciplined and brave. And they were led by the Paris-born manager Walid Regragui.

According to the former technical director of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, their success has not been through the vagaries of lady luck: Morocco is very serious about its football and the level of investment over the last 10 years has been quite astounding. Some of these players at the World Cup have graduated from the Mohamed VI youth academy but since then the national training centre has been built and was inaugurated by the king. It’s an unbelievable facility that is as good as anything in the world. At the same time, they have opened five regional centres for the best boys and girls in the country.

Moroccan-born Badr Berrada, the visionary and passionate publisher of BBN Times, enthuses, “I am really proud of the Moroccan national team. It’s been a fantastic run. Morocco has proven to the whole world that if you have a united team you can achieve big things. Coach Regragui, who won the domestic title with FUS and Wydad Casablanca, made history by inspiring Morocco to become the first African team to reach the last four of the World Cup.”

With the players celebrating with their families after the matches, Berrada offers an emotional and familial aspect to the team’s “unbelievable” run, adding: “Morocco has also shown to the world that loving your parents is a blessing. In a time where most players overlook their family, it’s beautiful to see the Moroccan players dedicate their victory to their mothers and fathers. I am forever grateful to this Moroccan team because their remarkable run will inspire millions all around the world to pursue their dream. Best of luck Argentina against France, may the better team win this World Cup.”

Morocco and their joyful fans were just beautiful to watch and support as neutrals who reveled in their dream. And, they made the diaspora of Moroccans around the world extremely proud. Congrats for giving us joy and learning about belief in the underdog!