London’s Little Morocco backs Morocco ahead of Africa Cup of Nations final

London’s Little Morocco in North Kensington is brimming with pride and anticipation as the Moroccan diaspora prepares for Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal, with many here confident the Atlas Lions will triumph. Souad Talsi, who runs the Al-Hasaniya Moroccan women’s centre at the base of 31-storey Trellick Tower at the north end of Golborne Road, said: “There’s not just an excitement, it has completely taken over everything else.” She added: “There is so much gloom and doom around at the moment and people are depressed about Gaza, but football has given us a respite from all that.

It has completely united the Moroccan diaspora and given us a purpose and a sense of belonging.” Local cafés have become viewing hubs. The Trellick Lounge has shown all of Morocco’s games and was already running buildup programmes more than 48 hours before the final, with a screen planned for the street outside; Ali Mssr, who runs the cafe, predicts hundreds will turn up.

Mohamed Chelh, who sips mint tea in the cafe, said Morocco’s potential win would be their first Afcon trophy since 1976 and pointed to the team’s run to the semi-finals at the last World Cup. He plans to head to Trafalgar Square to celebrate. Residents described a buoyant mood across Golborne Road.

A retired gardener said he heard celebrations after Morocco scraped through on penalties against Nigeria, while Yassim at Hakim’s cafe said: “The mood is very good.

Key Topics

Sports, Morocco National Team, Afcon, Trellick Tower, Golborne Road, Al-hasaniya Centre