Throughout the previous six decades, Morocco has established numerous benchmarks for African sides in the World Cup. They became the first nation to earn direct qualification for the 1970 tournament in Mexico, returned in 1986 as the continent's pioneer in reaching the last 16, and delivered an impressive semifinal run in Qatar.

Even if the Atlas Lions cannot repeat their 2022 results and fall to France on Thursday, they have already made history as the first African team to reach the quarterfinals at back-to-back World Cups.

"The overall sentiment among Moroccans reflects pride and satisfaction with this squad," says Amine El Amri, a football journalist based in Casablanca who has tracked fan reactions closely. "The main target before the event was to reach the quarterfinals, given the situation and the managerial change from Walid Regragui to Mohamed Ouahbi. The victory over the Netherlands confirmed Ouahbi as a reliable coach. Many doubts about him faded after that match.

"Defeating Canada in that fashion, despite a tough first half, has also strengthened that belief. You need to be in Casablanca, Marrakech, and every city and town to grasp how happy people are. Our Saturday night was wild - nobody slept."

The quarterfinal task at Boston Stadium remains daunting, with the tournament's potent attacking trio of Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, and Ousmane Dembele awaiting.

Ouahbi's steady approach during challenging periods against the Netherlands and Canada shows the calm focus the squad needs for elite competition, according to former Cameroon goalkeeper Joseph-Antoine Bell, a veteran of the 1982, 1990, and 1994 World Cups.

"No opponent at the World Cup can claim certainty of beating Morocco," he says. "They may trail but will stay composed, avoid frustration, and maintain belief that their style will bring recovery.

"This occurs when a team has resolved its issues. They focus fully on matches without concerns over finances or administration. This is a well-prepared side. Sadly, most African teams do not function at this level. When a country like Ghana appoints a coach with under two months until a World Cup, how can they be ready?"

Ouahbi took charge in early March and managed five friendlies while having four years of experience with the under-20 and under-23 sides. Ghana played only twice under Carlos Queiroz before the tournament, and captain Jordan Ayew spoke openly after their last-32 exit to Colombia about the challenge of adapting to new tactics.

"You cannot achieve that in one or two months," he said. "Football does not operate that way. We improved defensively but lacked enough offensively, so balance must be found."

Queiroz hinted in his exit statement about Ghana that the federation must improve its professional handling of the team. "The future of the Black Stars will not be built only on the pitch," he said. "Success must start off the field by creating the best environment to prepare, protect, and develop talent."

Senegal's federation should heed Queiroz's advice after their campaign ended in needless disappointment, losing 3-2 to Belgium in the last 32 despite leading 2-0 late on.

Sunday Oliseh, former Nigeria captain and coach who served on FIFA's technical study group, understands the sting of such collapses, having lost 2-1 to Italy in 1994 after leading 1-0 late.

"The only comfort then was our inexperience," he says. "But for it to recur now, with the experience African players possess and awareness of how teams defend leads, it hurts more. Many blame the coach, yet experienced players should have taken charge too."

For Bell, who notes "football does not begin with footballers," African teams will reach their potential when federations focus on strong governance. "We are getting closer to winning a World Cup," he says. "But to be serious, we need three or four countries in the quarterfinals." For now, despite Egypt's strong showing against Argentina, the Atlas Lions carry that weight alone.