Back in December, a small group of us headed out to Meknes for the day to go a huge Carrefour run as it's the nearest hypermarket to us. Meknes is about an hour's drive, and the landscape changes from mountains (here in Ifrane) to the plains. As well, the Carrefour Cave (alcohol shop) is quite extensive, compared to where we dwell...
I usually have my quiver of reusable bags, but this shiny object caught my eye while waiting in line. I mean, look how colorful the bag is! Look at the Moroccan designs, and look at the football and accompanying words announcing (predicting) Morocco will be bringing home the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the championship match against Senegal.
I proudly purchased it and continued on with my day- fully knowing that the future date of 18 January, 2026 was a long, unpredictable way off...
Fast-forward to game day, Senegal had a 1-0 lead, but...towards game's end, the referee made a call that Senegal protested. Like petulant children, they stomped off the field in protest. Back on the pitch 15 minutes later, 30 minutes extra time was added to clock because the score was still 0-0 (after Senegal's previous goal was 'disallowed.'
Senegal soon after scored a goal, so now the score was 1-0. The game ended & Senegal was awarded the trophy. Soon after, Morocco officially protested, saying the the 16-minute walk-off was against rules.
On March 17, the CAF Federation Cup ruled in Morocco's favor, saying that Senegal leaving the pitch meant that they had forfeited the game. Thus, the score was changed to 3-0 Morocco, the champions...
Senegal has, so far, refused to return the trophy while they wait for some 'super judges' to make a final decision. What a pickle all involved are in!
My university students relayed the story to me last week- when I used the AFCON game as an example for something. Suddenly they all perked up and couldn't stop interrupting each other to let me know the 'real deal.'
Getting back to the picture... Every time I have used the shopping bag since Morocco 'lost', I've had to laugh- just at a company would pre-order and print up bags as such claiming the championship only to 'lose' the game. But now... they are 'winners', so I can still laugh each time I use the bag. The story's not over, so I guess we will see what happens.
It's just a little story that makes me smile. That's all.
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