Morocco fans at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium were shocked when real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe was caught in the crowd during the Africa Cup of Nations group-stage match against Morocco and Mali on Sunday night.
Mbappe came to the well-anticipated match wearing a Moroccan national team shirt, the number 2 of Achraf Hakimi. It was a move that immediately went viral on social media with several admirers applauding the French striker who publicly backed his close friend.
The two players have a long friendship history connecting them to Paris Saint-Germain, where both were friends and grew into a close group both at work and in personal life. Although PSG lost Mbappe, the relationship between the two players has not been lost, and it is regularly emphasized by public words and joint appearances.
It was the second Morocco match in the group stage in the AFCON. The Atlas Lions, after winning their initial match 2-0 against Comoros in their first match of the tournament, had the momentum and high hopes of their fans in the game.
To further add to the star-studded occasion, there were some high-ranking football officials in attendance, including Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Moroccan Football Federation, and CAF President Patrice Motsepe. The level of attendance at the match was indicative of the significance of the match in the continental competition.
Moroccan-French entertainer and political activist Jamel Debbouze who was supporting the mob also added to the celebratory festivities within the stadium, wearing the colors of Morocco.
Morocco has shifted attention to its next group stage meet with Zambia that is due to be in the coming Monday. The victory in that game would guarantee the AFCON round of 16, which leaves the Atlas Lions squarely on the path of a successful continental endeavor.
