Amadou Onana has spoken of the lasting impression made by Moroccan supporters during 2022 FIFA World Cup, describing the atmosphere as one of the most memorable experiences of his career.
The midfielder was reflecting on Belgium national football team’s group-stage defeat to Morocco national football team, a match that ended 2-0 in Morocco’s favour and proved pivotal in Belgium’s early exit from the tournament.
Speaking in a recent YouTube video, Onana highlighted the overwhelming presence of Moroccan fans inside the stadium, saying it felt as though his team were playing away from home despite the neutral venue.
“That day, I thought I was in Rabat or Casablanca. It was amazing. It made me a little fall in love with the passion of Moroccans and Africans in general,” he said.
The match, played on November 27, 2022, saw Morocco claim a famous victory through goals from Romain Saiss and Zakaria Aboukhlal, a result that significantly impacted the group standings and contributed to Belgium’s elimination.
Onana said the scale of Moroccan support in the stands was striking, with the crowd largely dominated by fans dressed in red, creating a hostile and energetic atmosphere for the Belgian side.
“It was crazy. I swear, I saw red. 95%, maybe even 97% of the stadium was red, but the wrong red, not our red, Moroccan red!”
The midfielder added that the intensity of the support left a strong emotional impact on him during the match, describing the experience as unforgettable.
Morocco went on to enjoy a historic run in the tournament, reaching the semi-finals and becoming the first African nation to do so, a journey that drew widespread attention and admiration across the football world.
Despite being on the losing side, Onana expressed respect for Morocco’s achievement and team spirit, suggesting their performance and the backing they received made them a worthy opponent.
Now playing in the Premier League with Aston Villa F.C., the Dakar-born midfielder continues to establish himself at the highest level of European football. However, his encounter with Morocco at the World Cup remains a defining memory.
Nearly four years on, his reflections underline the enduring impact of Morocco’s support during the tournament, with the atmosphere created by their fans still standing out as one of its most remarkable features.
