Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has revealed that he dreamt defender Issa Diop would score a crucial goal for the Atlas Lions before their dramatic FIFA World Cup Round of 32 victory over the Netherlands.
The Moroccan tactician made the remarkable admission after his side booked a place in the Round of 16 following a tense encounter that was eventually settled by a penalty shootout.
Speaking after the match, Ouahbi disclosed that he had a strong feeling before kick-off that Diop would make the difference with a vital header.
“I dreamt that Issa Diop would score a very important header for Morocco,” Ouahbi said after the match. “I didn’t know it would happen today, but after the game I told him about it. He deserves it very much.”
Diop went on to fulfil his coach’s prediction by scoring a crucial headed goal that kept Morocco in the contest before the Atlas Lions prevailed in the shootout.
The defender’s strike sparked jubilant celebrations among Moroccan supporters and proved to be one of the defining moments of a memorable night for the North Africans.
Ouahbi praised Diop’s contribution, highlighting not only the importance of the goal but also the defender’s commitment and work ethic throughout the tournament.
The Morocco coach also pointed to the unity within his squad, describing his players as a close-knit group determined to continue making their country proud on football’s biggest stage.
Victory over the Netherlands marked another historic achievement for the Atlas Lions, who once again demonstrated resilience, discipline and composure under pressure against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
After frustrating the Dutch for long periods, Morocco held their nerve in the penalty shootout to secure progression to the Round of 16.
Diop’s decisive header is now set to become one of the iconic moments of Morocco’s World Cup campaign, made even more memorable by Ouahbi’s extraordinary revelation that he had envisioned the goal before the match.
With qualification secured, the Atlas Lions will now shift their attention to the Round of 16 as they continue their pursuit of another historic run at the FIFA World Cup.
