The International Football Federation has shed a spotlight on Morocco’s goalkeeper Yassine Bono, following his impressive performance during the Atlas Lions’ game against Spain.
FIFA points out Bono’s “arduous journey,” which saw him break into the national team in 2013 after his debut with Wydad and a stint at Atletico Madrid’s B team.
Despite Bono’s cemented status as an up-and-coming player, FIFA notes that the goalkeeper did not play a single minute in the 2018 World Cup, which saw the Atlas Lions eliminated in the group stage.
Four years later, Bono’s persistence lead him to a much better opportunity. The goalkeeper became “Morocco’s main man,” after saving spot-kicks from Spain’s Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets.
FIFA notes that Bono’s “memorable saves” paved the way in part for the Atlas Lions to reach the World Cup quarterfinals, highlighting the 31-year-old goalkeeper as an “example of perseverance.”
The Moroccan national team qualified for the first time in history for the World Cup quarter-finals, after ending the last game with Spain in a goalless draw and winning on penalties (3-0).
“I think we have to learn from our experience in Russia 2018,” said Bono, in an interview with FIFA+ ahead of Qatar 2022.
“We have to be fully ready to play these games and qualify [for the knockout stages],” he added, according to the same source.
FIFA further stated that goalkeeper Bono appears destined to perform heroics for the Atlas Lions in Qatar 2022.
The Moroccan national team is set to face off against Portugal on Saturday at 4 p.m., as part of the World Cup’s quarter-final game.
The international sporting event kicked off on November 20 and will run until December 18.
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