United News of Bangladesh

Morocco manager Mohamed Ouahbi said his side had laid down an early World Cup marker after a 1-1 draw with Brazil on Saturday, declaring his team was capable of more. Morocco led through Ismael Saibari's early goal and created several problems for the five-time world champion before settling for a point in its Group C opener. "We won't settle for this. I can promise you this is not the end," Ouahbi told a post-match news conference in New Jersey. "The competition is long and you'll have a lot of fun watching us." Ouahbi said his team was determined to improve on its showing in Qatar four years ago, when it became the first African side to reach the World Cup's last four. "I want to go beyond the semifinals, but it was a good match. We got a point. We hoped to have more, but one isn't a bad result and we hope to improve." Morocco controlled the midfield for long stretches of the opening half as Brazil struggled to retain possession in the oppressive heat. Ouahbi said his players displayed the qualities he has sought to instill since replacing Walid Regragui in March. "The message to our fans is that I know they are very proud of us," he said. "Today we showed we're ambitious. We drew, but we showed we wanted to win. We showed that we have a strong personality and we'll continue to do this." Ouahbi also praised 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, whose request to represent Morocco was approved by FIFA last month. Capped at youth level by France, where he was born, Bouaddi was making only his fourth appearance for Morocco but played a key role in neutralizing the influence of Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes and Lucas Paqueta. "We already knew what he was capable of," Ouahbi said. "This is why we had many talks with him to choose Morocco. He played well. Everyone is excited about him, but other midfielders were great as well." "Maybe because it was his first [competitive] match at international level. But in terms of experience, he has much more than others. He has experience in the Champions League." Morocco next faces Scotland in Boston on June 19 before meeting Haiti in Atlanta on June 24.  

The government on Wednesday approved two proposals for the import of 60,000 metric tonnes of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) fertiliser from Morocco involving Tk 522.94 crore. The approval at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) held at cabinet division meeting room with Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury in the chair. It approved the import of 30,000 metric tonnes (±10 per cent) of TSP fertiliser under the agreement signed between Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) and OCP NUTRICROPS of Morocco. The procurement will cost Tk 254.39 crore, with the fertiliser priced at US$688 per metric tonne. In a separate proposal, the committee approved import of another 30,000 metric tonnes (±10 per cent) of TSP fertiliser. The second consignment will cost Tk 268.56 crore, with the fertiliser priced at US$726.33 per metric tonne. In both cases, Morocco-based OCP NUTRICROPS was the recommended supplier. The two imports are aimed at ensuring an uninterrupted supply of fertiliser for the country’s agricultural sector and meeting domestic demand during the upcoming cultivation seasons. The  committee also approved a proposal to procure 10,000 tonnes of lentils through an open tender process aimed at strengthening the country’s food stocks. Under the proposal placed by the Ministry of Commerce, 10,000 metric tonnes of lentils, packed in 50-kilogram bags, will be procured at a total cost of Tk 82.54 crore. The purchase price has been fixed at Tk 82.54 per kilogram. The procurement is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to maintain adequate food reserves and ensure market stability through timely imports and purchases of essential commodities.

After facing challenges in obtaining medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic, African nations have pledged to reduce dependency on imports. In a milestone for the continent, a Moroccan firm has begun producing mpox testing kits amid ongoing outbreaks. Moldiag, a Moroccan startup, initiated the development of mpox tests after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the virus a global emergency in August. Africa’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reported over 59,000 mpox cases and 1,164 deaths across 20 countries this year. To address the crisis, the WHO has announced plans to provide mpox tests, vaccines, and treatments to vulnerable populations in low-income countries, although it has faced criticism for delays. The organization emphasizes the importance of testing all suspected cases. However, in remote regions affected by the outbreak, testing remains a challenge. Many provinces in Congo lack laboratory facilities, with some regions relying solely on physical symptoms and temperature checks for diagnosis. This limits the ability to track the virus's spread effectively, health officials say. “This is a major issue,” said Musole Robert, medical director of the Kavumu Referral Hospital in eastern Congo’s South Kivu province. “Our laboratories are inadequately equipped.” Mpox spreads primarily through close skin-to-skin contact or contaminated materials, such as clothing or bedding. Testing involves swabbing lesions and sending samples to labs for analysis. Accurate testing is crucial as mpox symptoms can resemble those of chickenpox or measles. While some Western nations developed rapid mpox tests in 2022, these efforts were discontinued after the virus was contained. Renewed outbreaks in Africa, including a potentially more transmissible strain, have reignited concerns. Morocco has reported three mpox cases, with most incidents occurring in central Africa. Moldiag’s $5 tests offer a cost-effective solution to the continent’s testing shortages. The company has already received orders from Burundi, Uganda, and Congo and has also supplied kits to Senegal and Nigeria. “It’s simpler to send tests within Africa than to wait for imports from Europe or Asia,” said Moldiag founder Abdeladim Moumen. Moldiag, which emerged from Morocco’s Foundation for Advanced Science, Innovation and Research, previously developed genetic tests for COVID-19 and tuberculosis. The company gained Africa CDC approval in November but has yet to seek expedited approval from the WHO. The Africa CDC has established processes to accelerate test approvals, bypassing delays typical of WHO evaluations, which can take months or years. According to Yenew Tebeje, acting director for laboratory diagnostics at the Africa CDC, ensuring quick access to medical supplies has historically been a challenge for African nations. Moldiag’s efforts align with the African Union's post-COVID-19 goals of fostering local manufacturing to combat global disparities in medical supply distribution. The startup’s tests are priced in line with WHO standards and health advocate demands. Moumen highlighted the importance of localized production, saying, “It makes sense to manufacture tests in regions facing outbreaks. African tests for Africa.”

French President Emmanuel Macron arrives Monday in Morocco, where he is expected to meet with the North African kingdom’s leaders and discuss partnerships regarding trade, climate change and immigration. During the president’s three-day visit to Rabat, he is scheduled to meet with King Mohammed VI and Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch and address Morocco’s Parliament. It comes months after Macron changed France’s longstanding public position and backed Morocco’s autonomy plan for the disputed Western Sahara. The move endeared the country to Morocco and alienated it from Algeria, which hosts refugee camps governed by the pro-independence Polisario Front and has long pushed for a U.N.-organized referendum to solve the conflict. In the days leading up to the visit, Moroccan publications lauded the “warm reunion” and a “new honeymoon” between the two countries while French flags were hung throughout Rabat. France and Morocco have historically partnered on issues ranging from counterterrorism to Western Sahara. Morocco is the top destination for French investment in Africa and France is Morocco’s top trade partner. Morocco imports French cereals, renewable energy infrastructure like turbines and weapons. Morocco exports goods to France including tomatoes, cars and airplane parts. Moroccans are among the largest foreign-born communities in France, where North African immigrants are a key political constituency and a focal point of debates about the roles of Islam and immigration in French society. In recent months, France’s new Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has pushed for the country to take a hard-line approach toward immigration and seek deals with countries like Morocco to better prevent would-be migrants from crossing into Europe. On Macron’s last visit to Morocco, he and King Mohammed VI inaugurated Al Boraq, Africa’s first high-speed rail line, made possible by French financing and trains manufactured by the French firm Alstrom. Despite close ties, relations have at times been fragile between France and Morocco, which was a French protectorate from 1912 to 1956. In 2021, Morocco suspended consular relations France momentarily reduced the number of visas offered to Moroccans in protest of its refusal to provide documents needed to deport people who migrated to France without authorization. Relations between the two countries soured further that year when a 2021 report revealed Morocco’s security services had used Israeli spyware to infiltrate the devices of activists and politicians, including Macron. Morocco denied and sued over the allegations.

Chief of Air Staff of Bangladesh Air Force(BAF) Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan left Dhaka for Morocco on Saturday on an official visit along with his spouse and two entourage at the invitation of Major General Mohammed Gadih, Inspector of Royal Moroccan Air Force. British parliamentary delegation lauds Bangladesh's development under Hasina’s leadership  During the visit, Chief of Air Staff of the BAF will make courtesy call on with Inspector General, Royal Moroccan Air Force. They will exchange views on bilateral issues of mutual interests. Book on Nepal-Bangladesh friendship launched at Nepal Embassy in Dhaka Besides, the BAF chief will also visit Royal Air School and different military installations. This visit of Chief of Air Staff will play a significant role in strengthening the existing relationship between Bangladesh Air Force and Royal Moroccan Air Force, says a press release of Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate. Bangladesh’s security forces remain alert along Myanmar border: Foreign Minister   The Chief of Air Staff will return to Bangladesh on February 2 from Morocco after completing the his official visit.

Morocco’s fans in the Arab world took the North African team’s 2-1 loss to Croatia in Saturday’s World Cup third-place playoff philosophically. The team had already made history, becoming the first Arab and first African team to reach the semifinals in the international soccer tournament. Its loss to France on Wednesday dashed fans' hopes that Morocco would become an underdog champion, but many had hoped that it would at least take third place in facing off against Croatia. Read more: Croatia beats Morocco 2-1 to take 3rd place at World Cup In the Moroccan capital, national team's fans were disappointed by Saturday's loss, but pointed with pride to the team’s historic performance. “They remain champions in our eyes,” said Soukaina Makkaoui, a fan in Rabat. “They are now among the four top teams in the world.” Ali Hachimi, another Moroccan fan, was both proud and sad. “We would have liked to finish third because the players deserved it after giving their all,” he said. Along the way, the Moroccan team charmed many Arab soccer fans who saw in the team a reflection of themselves, with players waving the Palestinian flag after their wins and celebrating on the field with their mothers and children. Read more: Morocco look to the future after World Cup dream ends Seeing Palestinian flags fluttering in the stadium “was an indescribable feeling,” said Ibrahim al-Lilli, who was among thousands of fans in the Gaza Strip who gathered to cheer for Morocco on Saturday. The games affirmed that the Arab street “supports the Palestinian cause regardless of what their governments do,” he said, referring to the Abraham Accord normalization agreements that four Arab countries — including Morocco — signed with Israel in 2020. Fans in the besieged Gaza enclave found a bitter solace in the fact that the northern Africa Arab country got as far as it did. “It’s a defeat, albeit with a taste of victory and joy,” said Ahmed al-Najjar, another fan in Gaza. In Beirut's Tarik al-Jdideh neighborhood, where fans were also rooting for Morocco, Muhammad Shaalan said the team's fourth-place finish is still a point of pride for the Arab world. “They arrived to the final games and they defeated three of the best big European teams (Belgium, Spain and Portugal)," he said. “I bow my head in respect to them as an Arab team."

Luka Modric led Croatia to third place in what was likely the midfield great’s last appearance at the World Cup. The runners-up from four years ago secured another medal by beating Morocco 2-1 in the third-place match on Saturday. Mislav Orsic scored the decisive goal shortly before halftime at Khalifa International Stadium to ensure Modric finished on a winning note, if this does turn out to be his last World Cup match. At the age of 37, that seems likely, even if there are hopes he will lead his country at the 2024 European Championship. Josko Gvardiol put Croatia ahead in the seventh minute, but Achraf Dari evened the score in the ninth. It is the second time Croatia has taken third place. The team also achieved that feat in its first World Cup as an independent nation 1998. After becoming the first African team to reach the World Cup semifinals, Morocco’s tournament ended in two losses. But the team’s achievements in Qatar will be remembered for the outpouring of pride among Arab nations. The World Cup final between defending champion France and Argentina is scheduled for Sunday at Lusail Stadium. Read more: Morocco v Croatia: Fight for 3rd place, or losers' playoff? The third-place match is considered by some to be a meaningless exhibition. Even Morocco coach Walid Regragui described it as a “booby prize” in the buildup. But neither team lacked motivation in a fiercely contested game between two nations that few expected to go so far. That was underlined by a host of players needing to be substituted because of injury in the second half as Morocco pushed for an equalizer. The teams had already played out 0-0 draw in the group stage and had made to the semifinals on the back of tough defenses, with a combined six shutouts. Goals weren’t a problem this time. Perhaps that was because of the relative freedom of playing in a game with supposedly little at stake. Another factor for Morocco, at least, was the absence of three key defenders, Romain Saiss, Nayef Aguerd and Noussair Mazraoui. The impact of those absences was felt when Croatia took the lead off Gvardiol’s diving header. In a slick move, Ivan Perisic flicked a free kick into the middle of the penalty box and the center back did the rest. Morocco responded two minutes later when Lovro Majer inadvertently helped on Hakim Ziyech’s free kick and Dari headed in to even the score. Croatia, however, was back in front three minutes before halftime. Read more: Qatar World Cup: Croatia vs Morocco match ends in goalless draw Orsic picked up the ball on the left of the box and curled a shot toward the top corner. Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou got a touch on the ball, but could only push it onto the post on its way into the net.

To some, it’s little more than a meaningless exhibition match. To others, it’s a chance to become “immortal.” The third-place playoff at the World Cup can be a confusing concept. “You are so disappointed, you’ve just lost a semifinal and then two days later you have to go back out there,” Morocco coach Walid Regragui said Friday. Regragui’s history-making team — the first African nation to reach the World Cup semifinals — will play Croatia on Saturday at Khalifa International Stadium. Read more: Morocco look to the future after World Cup dream ends “It’s like the booby prize,” Regragui said. “I am sorry for speaking like this. I understand that it should be important, I understand that it is better to finish third than fourth, but for, me my takeaway is that we just didn’t get to the final.” Morocco’s run to the semifinals in Qatar provided the most improbable story of the tournament. The team was also the first Arab nation to go so far in soccer’s biggest event, generating an outpouring of pride among Arab countries. After such a wild and dizzying ride, it’s understandable that Regragui sounded so flat when looking ahead to the match against Croatia. It’s also a measure of his own ambition that he ends an unforgettable tournament for African soccer with a sense of disappointment after being beaten by defending champion France 2-0. “Yes, finishing third would be great for our image. We would be on the podium,” the coach said. “But you know what, even if we win the game tomorrow we won’t have got to the final and we won’t have won the World Cup.” The atmosphere from the Croatian side has been more upbeat. Read more: Croatia’s ‘golden generation’ nears end after World Cup The runners-up from the last World Cup in Russia lost to Argentina 3-0 in the other semifinal match, but their players have spoken of the importance of winning another medal. Forward Andrej Kramarić described it as the chance to “become an immortal hero in your country.” “Eight of us from (the tournament in) Russia understand that feeling of winning a medal at the World Cup and we have a lot of players who haven’t experienced that and would love to do that because it’s something that will stay with you for the rest of their life,” Kramarić said. Luka Modric, who is likely playing in his last World Cup, had similar thoughts. “We need to leave everything to win the bronze medal and let our fans celebrate one more time,” he said. To finish second and third in back-to-back World Cups would further secure the legacy of a golden generation for Croatia. “Saturday’s match is not a small one for us, but a big final, a fight for third place, for a medal,” Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić said. “We have to prepare in every sense. It’s a big thing if we take the bronze medal, that would be great. “The difference is being third or fourth in the world, we will do everything to do that.” Morocco and Croatia have already played each other at this year’s World Cup, a 0-0 draw in the group stage. “We know that Croatia got a lot of stick because they weren’t able to beat Morocco,” Regragui said. “Morocco was one of the underdogs and now we both reached the semifinals.” Injured Morocco center back Romain Saiss, the team’s captain, will miss the game after lasting only 21 minutes against France. Noussair Mazraoui, also substituted in that match, is a doubt. “We have really, really pushed our players to the limits, but they still want to go out tomorrow and play again,” Regragui said. “But we are not going to be taking risks tomorrow for some of our players.”

Morocco made history, but couldn’t make it past Kylian Mbappé and France. The first African country to reach the semifinals of the World Cup was eventually beaten by defending champions France, losing 2-0 at Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday. There is still the chance to win the third place match against Croatia on Saturday, but the dream of becoming the first team from outside of Europe or South America to go all the way to a final is over. Read more: Morocco face France in politically charged World Cup semifinal Morocco coach Walid Regragui and his players became the unlikeliest story of the World Cup and even in defeat, pushed France all the way. “My players gave everything. They’ve gone as far as they could,” said Regragui. “They wanted to rewrite the history books, but you can’t win a World Cup with miracles, you have to do it with hard work and that’s what we are going to do, keep working.” EXPECTATION VS. PERFORMANCE No one could have expected Morocco to break new boundaries for African soccer by making it to the semifinals. It was also the first Arab nation to go so far at a World Cup. And it did so on merit - topping a group that contained 2018 finalist Croatia and second-ranked Belgium, before progressing past favorites Spain and Portugal in the knockout stages. But perhaps Morocco’s best performance came against France when it had to contend with injuries to key players and conceding a goal inside five minutes. In the face of those challenges it still managed to pressure France for long periods until Randal Kolo Muani’s 79th minute strike sealed the win for Les Bleus. The performance typified Morocco’s spirit at this tournament and the quality of its players. Read more: Will Messi's last performance in World Cup help Argentina win the trophy in Qatar? WHO’S OUT? Regragui has won plenty of admirers for his tactical acumen against some of the giants of international soccer. It will be interesting to see if any offers come his way from leading club teams in Europe - and whether he would be tempted to take up a new challenge. He says he is committed to leading Morocco at the 2023 African Cup of Nations, which will come as a relief to the country’s fans. Key defender and captain Romain Saiss is 32 and may have played in his last World Cup, but Morocco has a lot of young players, who could go again in four years when the tournament is held in the United States, Canada and Mexico. WHO’S NEXT? Midfielder Azz-Eddine Ounahi has been one of the brightest emerging talents at the tournament and could be the subject of interest from leading clubs in January or next summer. At 22 he is yet to reach his peak and currently plays his club soccer for Angers, the bottom club in France’s first division. Achraf Hakimi is already established at Paris Saint-Germain, but the 24-year-old right back has the potential to develop further and lead a golden generation for Morocco. WHAT’S NEXT? First of all Morocco wants to round off an unforgettable World Cup by winning its third place match against Croatia. Focus will then turn to the African Cup of Nations and Regragui is comfortable with the added expectation after the success in Qatar. “There’s more pressure. We know that we were often the favorites, but now in the semifinals we couldn’t hide,” he said. “I think we will have a bit of time to find our way in the competition. The next match is in March. “But like I said before, I’m not hiding. If we don’t get to at least the semifinals, then I will leave. It has to be that way.”

Hind Sabouni bristles with pride as she recalls her country's history-making World Cup run as it eliminated one European soccer powerhouse and former colonial power after another — Belgium, Spain and Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal — to become the first African and Arab nation to reach the semifinals. For the 26-year-old English teacher in Morocco's capital, and many of her countrymen both inside the North African nation and throughout the diaspora, it's about to get more complicated. Next up is France: The defending champion and Morocco’s former colonial ruler for much of the first half of the 20th century. Wednesday’s match has political and emotional resonance for both nations. It dredges up everything that’s complex about the relationship in which France still wields considerable economic, political and cultural influence. “This game is one of a kind,” Sabouni said. “Especially since France is next to beat.” “We can show the rest of the world that Morocco is no longer France’s backyard." For the former protectorate, the match against the defending champion is an opportunity to show that Morocco is a formidable foe — on the soccer pitch at least — even though immigration between the two countries has blurred the lines for many in France and Morocco about who to support Wednesday in Qatar. Read more: Motherly love boosts Morocco’s team spirit at World Cup Over the past decade, Morocco’s relationship with France has changed. Sabouni said her generation of Moroccans is tired of France’s dominance. Young Moroccans, she said, “speak English instead of French, they buy more American products than French ones and even those who want to seek a better life abroad try to avoid France.” “Even though this is just a football game, some people view it as an opportunity for revenge,” Sabouni said. But not everyone. Kenza Bartali, a communications professional in Rabat, sees no political overtones to the match. She obtained her master's degree in France, and lived for two years in Paris and the southern cities of Nice and Toulon between 2016 and 2018. She made “wonderful friends" who are still her friends today. “Most Moroccan students were treated with respect," the 26-year-old said. Still, there is no doubt which team she's supporting. “I sincerely hope that Morocco advances to the final,” Bartali said. “I am aware that it will be difficult because France is a very good team, but we are hoping for the best.” Sabouni's sentiments resonate with Moroccans and other North Africans in France. Although the younger generation of immigrants and their descendants appear to be more at ease with multiple identities and languages in France, they still face institutional discrimination, racial and ethnic prejudice in public life, economic hardship and lack of job opportunities. As in previous World Cups, France once again has turned to their national soccer team made up of players from diverse backgrounds as evidence that the country has indeed become a melting pot despite lurking prejudice, stoked against immigrants by elected right-wing politicians. “Cultural changes and changes in life on the ground do have an effect and the team represents that,” said Laurent Dubois, a professor at University of Virginia in Charlottesville who has authored two books on French and international soccer. Read more: Morocco become first African & Arab nation to reach WC semis “The way the players inhabit being French and don’t seem to have an issue with also being African or anything else at the same time is an antidote to the immigrant resentment on the right.” In Morocco, people have embraced the team's foreign-born players as their native sons. They welcome the experience and professionalism they bring from Europe's top clubs and are proud they chose Morocco as their national team when they could have played for the countries of their births, from Spain to Canada to Belgium and beyond. The Morocco national team depends heavily on the diaspora, with 14 of the squad’s 26 players born abroad, including their French-born coach, Walid Regragui, the highest proportion for any team at the World Cup. Like Morocco’s supporters at home and an estimated 5 million scattered around Europe and beyond, many players grapple with family tales of colonial history, the challenges of immigration and questions of national loyalty. They want desperately to detach from the burdens of the past and win a place in the World Cup final — whether home for them is in France or Morocco, or Belgium, Canada, Tunisia, Algeria or elsewhere. “Most of the Moroccan players who were born abroad chose Morocco as their national team because they feel they play for more than just to win a football match,” said Maher Mezahi, a Marseille-based Algerian journalist covering African football. “They play to elevate national pride and to make their family proud." For Regragui, his and his player's dual identities are meaningless in the biggest match the squad has faced. “I’m a dual national, and that’s an honor and a pleasure,” the Moroccan coach said. “And it’s an honor and a pleasure to face France. But I’m the Morocco coach and we’re going to be playing the best team in the world. The most important thing is to get through to the final.” “When we play for the Moroccan national team, we are Moroccans,” Regragui said.