Faras: Our generation is unique

40 years ago to the day,

For

The breakthrough moment itself came when

"We were overwhelmed, but we woke up in the second half and gave it everything. Then, in the 86th minute, I carried the ball forward from midfield and heard someone call for it. I passed very quickly to Ahmed Makrouh, and he scored the equaliser with a shot from 25 metres out. Four minutes later, the Zambian referee whistled for the end of the game and the title was ours."

With financial rewards comparatively meagre at the time, what mattered most to the players was the idea of seeing their flag raised high and securing a historic first title for their nation. "We're a unique generation," says Faras. "We sacrificed everything for the national team shirt and the glory of Moroccan football. I remember how, before the tournament started, we received $50 as an incentive bonus. Three months after we won the title, we were given $1,000."

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