Morocco’s national football team was “safe” Sunday in the Guinean capital Conakry, a Moroccan official said, after army coup members said they had staged a coup in the west African country.Scheduled to face Guinea in a Monday qualifier for the 2022 World Cup, the Moroccans “are safe and currently in a hotel some way away from where things are tense”, Mohamed Makrouf of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) told AFP.The federation “is working on evacuating the team today. There’s already a plane at the airport”, he added.Due to the political unrest from power struggle in Conakry, Guinea, FIFA has postponed tomorrow’s 2022 World Cup qualifier between Guinea and Morocco.The Atlas Lions were already in the capital for the game#3Sports pic.twitter.com/p9rXrZx83F— Kelvin Owusu Ansah (@KelOwusu) September 5, 2021 In a statement, world football body FIFA said the match would be postponed “to ensure the safety and security of all players and to protect all match officials”.Heavy gunfire was heard in central Conakry on Sunday, as the putschists claimed they had arrested President Alpha Conde, sending AFP a video showing the head of state surrounded by soldiers.But the government said in a statement of its own that it had “repulsed” an attack on the presidential palace.Guinea – one of the world’s poorest countries despite boasting significant mineral resources – has long been beset by political instability.Guinea v. Morocco #WCQ2022 qualifier iced due to uncertain security situation in Conakry that has been occasioned by a coup. pic.twitter.com/yki7w5vCLe— Bonface Osano (@bonfaceosano) September 5, 2021 Morocco manager Vahid Halilhodzic confirms his squad, including two Fiorentina players, has ‘heard gunfire all day’ and is waiting for safe passage to the airport after being caught up in an armed coup in Guinea.The team arrived yesterday and was meant to play the World Cup qualifier in Conakry on Monday, but this morning an armed group announced it had deposed the Government and suspended the constitution, taking President Alpha Condé hostage.“We are at the hotel and have heard gunfire all day,” coach Halilhodzic told L’Equipe.“We are waiting for permission to travel to the airport, but for the moment we are stranded. A plane is waiting for us, but we’re not allowed to leave.“It takes a good 45-60 minutes to reach the airport from here, and when you can hear gunshots outside, safety is not 100 per cent guaranteed.”CAF postpone Monday’s World Cup qualifier between Guinea and Morocco after attempted military coup in Conakry this morning.Match now rescheduled to an undetermined date. pic.twitter.com/WP8txq91Zg— Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) September 5, 2021 The hotel where Morocco are staying, including Fiorentina players Sofyan Amrabat and Youssef Maleh, is seemingly across the road from the Presidential palace.Former Genoa defender Jawad El Yamiq posted a video on Instagram Stories of his view from outside the window, of military personnel in tanks and the sound of gunfire in the street.Coach Halilhodzic admits that as someone who lived through the war in Bosnia, he is perhaps better prepared for this situation than his players.“The players are concerned, that’s for sure. I’m used to it, this is less of a problem for me, but the situation is bizarre. For now we’re stuck here, let’s wait and see how it goes.“I just hope we will return to Morocco before dark.”He also confirmed the authorities have cancelled tomorrow’s match, but it could potentially be rescheduled in Morocco instead.© Agence France-Presse/Football Italia
