Victor Wanyama believes Morocco’s trail-blazing run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals has ushered in a new era of belief for African football on the global stage.
The Atlas Lions captured the world’s imagination in Qatar, becoming the first African side to reach the last four of the tournament with a string of historic victories over Belgium, Spain and Portugal.
For Wanyama, one of the continent’s most decorated players, Morocco’s against-the-odds achievements could prove transformative in reshaping perceptions and galvanising a new generation.
“What they (Morocco) did has brought belief to African teams,” the former Kenyan captain told FIFA.com.
“Morocco showed that, with good preparation, African teams are capable of a lot. They can beat even the top countries in the world.”
The 32-year-old speaks from a wealth of experience, having carved out a storied career that has taken him from the Kenyan Premier League to the heights of the Champions League with Tottenham Hotspur.
Wanyama was a mere 15 years old when he earned his first senior international cap, marking the start of a journey that would see him go on to captain his country and become the first Kenyan to grace the English Premier League.
His journey also encompassed notable successes at club level, winning back-to-back Scottish Premiership titles with Celtic before clinching the Canadian Championship with CF Montreal in 2021.
As he reflects on the trail blazed by Morocco in Qatar, Wanyama is optimistic that their feats could usher in a new era of prosperity for Africa’s football nations.
“Football has changed a lot in Africa. Many countries are investing more, right down to the grassroots,” he said. “Morocco did so, so well. They showed it is possible.”
The former Southampton man’s assessment chimes with the growing evidence of the continent’s rising strength in depth, from Senegal’s emergence as continental champions to Nigeria’s recent triumphs at youth level.
Yet Morocco’s exploits have raised the bar higher still, providing an empowering blueprint for prudent preparation, belief and tactical acumen to elevate Africa’s elite into genuine contenders on football’s biggest stages.
As Wanyama acknowleges, the Atlas Lions’ success story has resonated profoundly, offering renewed hope that an African nation could one day go all the way at a World Cup.
“With good preparation, African teams are capable of a lot,” he said. “They can beat even the top countries in the world.”
For a continent which has for so long punched below its weight at the highest level, Morocco’s achievements may yet herald the dawn of a new era.
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