In a perfect world, the game coming up on Wednesday would be played in the Free French garrison in Brazzaville – but we’ll have to settle for Bayt Stadium in Qatar.
Morocco was one of the holdouts in the imperialist game; it only lost its independence in 1912 when the Germans spooked the other European powers and led to its carving up as a “protectorate” (what a farcical term) of France, losing its southern areas to Spain. If you’ve not been to Morocco, you’re missing out; the food is good-ish – way too sweet for my palate – but the tea is amazing, and the people are just fun. Some of them even drink, which is a plus.
But in the last week, Morocco’s young soccer team has defeated the Spanish side, and to complete the Iberian humiliation, today beat Portugal.
Becoming the first African team to make the semifinals of the World Cup.
Facing off against France on Tuesday.
Its highly cynical, highly egotistical, and underrated as a racist post-colonial power former imperial overlord, France.
The ones who folded like a cheap deck of cards to the Nazis, making Casablanca – the neutral port, the haven of resistance, and most importantly the inspiration for the movie, possible.
The French.
Again, one always hopes for the best possible settings for when those who have been wronged get a chance to show up those who have done the wrong. My son’s friend wasn’t allowed to go to court yesterday to testify against his father, who beats him as a course of being, and because of that silence he’s still at risk, but I long for him to have his day in a proper court, to say what needs to be said. It would be better if the game on Wednesday were in Brazzaville for the young men of the Morocco team – to beat their former oppressors on African soil – but I have no doubt they’ll speak up solidly in a small autocracy in the Arabian Gulf next week.
I don’t think it takes much imagination to guess which team Rick, and Ilsa, and Sam – and yes, even Louis, despite his police loyalties – would be pulling for.
Round up the usual suspects, and let’s watch some footie next week.