Nigerians have taken to social media to predict what they termed the ‘end of road’ for the Moroccan football team, the Atlas Lions following the congratulatory message by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari had in a congratulatory message issued by his spokesperson, Malam Garba Shehu, on Monday, in Abuja, lauded the Atlas Lions for becoming the fourth team from an African country to ever qualify for the World Cup quarterfinals.
According to Buhari, Morocco has made the entire continent proud with their grit and dexterity, giving hope that an African team can indeed win, and should win the ongoing global championship in Qatar.
Quest Times had earlier reported Morocco made history as the first African country to secure a spot in Semi-Final following their 1-0 resounding victory over Portugal on Saturday, December 10.
The bad luck syndrome
Going by the antecedents, it is not always a fairytale for some Nigerian athletes as they tend to co-incidentally suffer setbacks when they eventually return to competing after meeting Mr President.
Some Nigerians who have already submitted that it is indeed a ‘hoodoo’ have now predicted Morocco’s waterloo after President Buhari congratulated them on their World Cup heroics.
This comes after a few months of heartbreak for Nigerian athletes as boxing superstar Anthony Joshua and UFC Champions both suffered defeats on the same night and Tobi Amusan losing the prestigious ‘Best Athlete of the Year’ award to her American counterpart, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone after the trio met with Buhari.
ALSO READ: Qatar 2022: Morocco becomes first African team to reach semifinals in FIFA World Cup
Anthony Joshua failed to win his rematch against Oleksander Usyk who won via a split decision, while UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman was knocked out cold by Leon Edwards in August.
Taking to social media, here are some of the reactions to Buhari’s congratulatory message to Morocco;
Nsaka Jonathan: “It is over for Morroco. They won’t wim (win) again.”
Godwin Samson: “End of road (for Morocco) ooo.”
Victoria Onochie Stanley: “Bubu should just keep his message till after the match pls (please). Everything about him is bad luck.”
Kolawole Ogunajo: “Buhari should not congratulate Morocco l beg because he’s a badluck anything he touches turn bad.”
Alex Olusegun: “After Buhari’s greetings, I pray they don’t lose!…Since Anthony, Kamoru, Adesanya , Super falcon greeted him, they haven’t won!”
Joseph Ejike: “Make Morocco prepare their plane because their coming home soon Bubu has done it again.”
Kayode Adebayo: “May God save Morroco from PMB congratulatory message because Anthony Joshua can explain better.”
Seedorf Princewill: “This one (Buhari) na Badluck oh anything e identify with don cast..ah Morocco Sorry you will Lose next match.”