However, France proved too strong and smart on the night scoring twice either half via Theo Hernandez and substitute Kolo Muani.
The huge Morocco following at Al Bayt Stadium recognized that the Atlas Lions had achieved something special despite their 2-0 loss to the two-time world champions, giving them a standing ovation after the match on Wednesday night.
Many fans clad in the red colour of Morocco appeared reluctant to leave the stadium, wanting to soak up as much of the history as they could of their beloved Lions claiming new territory and gaining admiration from the world football fraternity.
“This has been a showcase of the quality of our players. They are disappointed. They wanted to go further,” said Morocco coach Walid Regragui after the match.
Morocco had come into the match with the meanest defence in the tournament that had let in just one goal – an own goal, from six matches played but were breached by Les Blues in the fifth minute.
Regragua rued what may have been a different night for the brave Atlas Lions
“If I have regrets about this game is that we conceded too quickly. We made too many mistakes. They allowed us possession and we created opportunities but were not clinical in their final third. We wanted to keep the dream alive but the small details that make teams champion were there with France. Their substitutes made a difference.
“We caused them a lot of problems but this was a step too far for us. We had too many players at 60, 70 per cent fit. We had injuries.”
Morocco indeed had to shuffle their pack at the last minute. Dependable West Ham centre back Nayef Aguerd was ruled unfit to play during the pre-match warm-up while Besiktas defender and team captain Romain Saiss had to be withdrawn from the game in the early stages as the flu he was said to be suffering from proved too much for him to continue playing.
There is still a lot for Morocco to play for in their third place play-off against Croatia on Saturday.
No African country has finished third, or fourth for that matter, and the history-chasing Morocco will duly enter the history books win or lose the play-off.
“The third place play-off will be a challenge. We have many players injured. We have tired legs. We will try to win the game,” said Regragui.
What does he think of the final on Sunday between two sides that have won four World Cups combined?
“It will be a balanced game. Argentina have grown in confidence and they have Messi. France, though, can win the title again and that can be historic.
France have been the top football team in the world over the last 20 years. It will be wonderful if Mbappe wins the World Cup.
If France wins we can say we lost to the champions,” the achieving Paris-born 47-year-old coach said with a smile.
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Tanzania: Exim to Raise Fund for Mental Health Facilities Upgrades
EXIM Bank to raise 300m/- over the next three years for financing essential services and infrastructure upgrades in mental health facilities.
The bank’s Head of Marketing and Communications Stanley Kafu unveiled this when introducing Exim Bima Festival 2024 as a platform for bringing together individuals, organisations and various sectors for raising the funds.
“Exim’s initiative aligns with the government’s broader goals to ensure that every citizen has access to quality healthcare, including mental health services,” he said.
The initiative, which is one of the events for celebrating the bank’s 27th anniversary is scheduled for Wednesday this week in Dar es Salaam.
Mr Kafu highlights that this year’s festival is not only about raising awareness of the importance of insurance in the society but also focuses on enhancing access to mental health services and improving the overall well-being of the nation.
Statistics from the Ministry of Health shows a staggering 82 per cent increase in mental health cases over the past decade.
Mental cases have risen from 386,358 in 2012 to 2,102,726 in 2021, making the need for mental health services more urgent than ever.
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Unfortunately, the country’s ability to address this growing challenge is hindered by a shortage of mental health professionals, infrastructure, medical equipment and essential medication.
For example, out of the 28 regions in the country, only five have facilities that provide adequate mental health services.
The most affected group is the youth aged 15 to 39, who represent the nation’s workforce, underscoring the need for intensified efforts to safeguard this generation for Tanzania’s future well-being and development.
Mr Kafu said by improving mental health services, Exim aims to contribute to the creation of a network of communities that can access care quickly and affordably.
Exim Insurance Department Manager Tike Mwakyoma said they are appreciating the support from partners in the insurance industry, who have stood by them since the last festival.
“Let’s continue this unity for the development of all Tanzanians and our nation as a whole,” the manager said.
Source: allafrica.com
Tanzania: Samia Hands Over NBC’s 354m/ – Crop Insurance Compensation to Farmers Affected By Hailstorms
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has handed over a cheque of 354m/- from the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) as compensation to tobacco farmers, who were affected by hailstorms during the previous farming season in various regions across the country.
Handing over the cheque in Dodoma, the compensation is part of the crop insurance service provided by NBC in collaboration with the National Insurance Corporation (NIC).
Furthermore, President Samia has also handed over health insurance coverage to members of the Lindi Mwambao Cooperative Union based in Lindi Region, through the Farmers’ Health Insurance service provided by the bank in partnership with Assurance Insurance Company.
While visiting the bank’s pavilion at the Nanenane Agricultural Exhibition and being received and briefed by the bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Theobald Sabi, she said: “This crop insurance is one of the crucial solutions in ensuring farmers have a reliable income, without fear of challenges such as natural disasters, including hailstorms.
“I call upon all farmers in the country to make the best use of this important opportunity by accessing these kinds of insurance services. I also highly commend NBC and all the stakeholders participating in this programme.”
Elaborating further on the crop insurance service, the Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, stated that it will help to recover the loss farmers incurred, especially in various calamities beyond their control.
Citing them as floods, fires, and hailstorms, which have significantly affected the well-being of farmers and caused some to be reluctant to invest in the crucial sector, Mr Bashe added: “However, our President, this step by NBC is just the beginning, as this is the second year since they started offering this service, and the results are already visible.
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“As the government, we promise to continue supporting the wider implementation of this service, with the goal of ensuring that this crop insurance service reaches more farmers.”
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On his part, Mr Sabi said that the farmers who benefited from the compensations are from 23 primary cooperative unions in the regions of Shinyanga, Geita, Tabora, Mbeya, Katavi, and Kigoma.
He added: “In addition to these insurance services, as a bank, through this exhibition, we have continued with our programme of providing financial education and various banking opportunities to farmers, alongside offering them various loans, including loans for agricultural equipment, particularly tractors, to eligible farmers.:
At the NBC booth, President Samia also had the opportunity to be briefed on the various services offered by the bank to the farmers namely crop insurance and health insurance services.
There, the President had the chance to speak with some of the beneficiaries of the services, including the Vice-Chairman of the Lindi Mwambao Primary Cooperative Union, Mr. Hassan Mnumbe, whose union has been provided with a health insurance card from the bank.
Source: allafrica.com
