Jabeur: Morocco’s World Cup journey is inspirational

It takes one to know one – Tunisia’s superstar hails Morocco’s heroes

November 2, 2022, FORT WORTH, TEXAS, UNITED STATES: Ons Jabeur of Tunisia celebrates during her second round-robin match at the 2022 WTA Finals Fort Worth tennis tournament against Jessica Pegula of the United States (Zuma/Panoramic)

Carrie Dunn

December 15, 2022

She’s an inspiration and role model for Tunisia and across Africa and the Arab world – and now fervent football fan Ons Jabeur has paid tribute to Morocco’s men’s national football team for their achievement in reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup.

“[Morocco] played really well and it was an inspiration for all of us,” said Jabeur. “I will not be surprised that one day an African country will win the World Cup. I’ve always believed that. I just love the Moroccan spirit and hopefully other countries will follow that path, because honestly nothing is impossible.”

Morocco are the first African team to reach that stage of a World Cup, beating Belgium in the group stages, Spain in the first knock-out round, and then Portugal in the quarter-finals – although holders France in the last four were a step too far.

Jabeur herself returns to competition on Friday, facing former US Open champion Emma Raducanu at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship exhibition in Abu Dhabi.

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