Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh has lauded Morocco’s strong performance against Brazil in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group C opener, suggesting the African champions could have secured a decisive victory if they had forwards with the quality of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman. The match, played at New York/New Jersey Stadium on Sunday morning, ended in a 1-1 draw, with Ismael Saibari opening the scoring for Morocco before Vinicius Jr equalized for Brazil. Oliseh, who played in two World Cups for Nigeria, praised Morocco’s tactical discipline and attacking intent, noting their dominance in possession and structure.
Despite creating 14 attempts, Morocco managed only three shots on target, while Brazil, with 12 attempts, had five on target. This lack of clinical finishing cost Morocco what could have been a crucial win. Oliseh emphasized that the difference in the game came down to the quality of attacking players, highlighting how Osimhen’s goal-scoring instinct or Lookman’s pace and creativity might have changed the outcome. “Impressive performance by this Moroccan side, defensively and offensively well structured. Had this team had Victor Osimhen or Ademola Lookman-like players versus Brazil, they could have won by three goals to one at worst,” he wrote on X.
The former Nigeria midfielder also observed that Brazil, despite their storied history and star power, appeared vulnerable throughout the match. He credited Vinicius Jr and Raphinha for bailing out the five-time world champions with their individual brilliance. “Brazil looking deceptive and thank God they had Vinícius Jr and Raphinha. I loved the belief and evolution from the Moroccans,” Oliseh added, underscoring the growing maturity and confidence in Morocco’s squad. His comments reflect a broader trend in African football, where teams are increasingly competitive at the highest level, even against traditional powerhouses.
Morocco’s next challenge comes on June 19, when they face Scotland in their second group-stage match at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. The result against Brazil has set a high standard for their campaign, and a strong showing against Scotland could position them as serious contenders in the group. Oliseh’s analysis adds weight to the narrative that African teams are not only improving defensively but are also capable of competing at the top if they can develop more lethal attacking options. His insights may resonate with Nigerian fans and football stakeholders, as Nigeria also aims to build a more potent frontline for future international competitions.
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