Image: REUTERS
It was a relief for Morocco's footballers and support staff to sing the national anthem when their plane took off from Guinea. Morocco's national team was in Conakry on Monday to play a World Cup qualifier but awoke to gunfire near the team hotel on the eve of the game as the military attempted to overthrow Guinea's longtime president Alpha Conde.
Moroccan diplomats were able to negotiate the departure of their team, the entourage left the country late on Sunday, just a few hours after the game was canceled. Players published photos and videos on social networks as they intoned the anthem emotionally and visibly relieved. Achraf Hakimi, Paris Saint-Germain country's star defender, tweeted on Monday: “Thanks everyone for the news and support, it was a very intense day, but thank God we are (again) safe and sound in Morocco.”
Little was known about the fate of Guinea's squad, including a European delegation led by the former Salzburg star and now Liverpool star and Naby Keita as captain. Keita was “safe and well,” said Liverpool on Monday. They are currently working on an early and safe return of the midfielder.
“It will be a bit complicated to return to Europe,” said Issiaga Sylla from the French club Toulouse to “L'Equipe”, “we are worried about it”.