Title: Devastating earthquake in Morocco: the poignant story of the Gambia coach
Introduction :
On the night of Friday September 8 to Saturday September 9, a violent earthquake struck central Morocco, leading to numerous human losses and causing significant material damage. While the country is still in shock, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has chosen to maintain the qualifying match for the African Cup of Nations between Gambia and Congo, initially scheduled for Marrakech. A controversial choice which deeply affected the Gambia group and its coach, Tom Saintfiet.
The story of a tragic night:
Tom Saintfiet, coach of the Gambia national team, recounts the moments of terror experienced by his group during the earthquake. Arriving in Marrakech a few days before the match, they were suddenly awakened by the earthquake on Friday night. “It was a big shock. At first I thought there was someone knocking on my door. And then it was like there was a plane in the hotel. It was really aggressive,” he says. Forced to leave the hotel for safety reasons, players, staff members and even other tourists gathered near the swimming pool to spend the night in the cold and worry.
A disrupted preparation:
The earthquake tragedy inevitably disrupted the Gambian team’s preparations for the crucial match against Congo. The lack of sleep and the emotional shock affected all the players and support staff. Tom Saintfiet recognizes that the majority of players did not want to play the match, their minds still being traumatized by what they experienced. “It’s like being in a horror film, you don’t think about football,” he says. Despite the high stakes of qualifying for the African Cup of Nations, the coach perfectly understands the feelings of his players and believes that it would have been more respectful to cancel or postpone the match, given the seriousness of the situation.
The controversial CAF decision:
Unfortunately, the decision to postpone or cancel the meeting rests with CAF, and not with the teams involved. Tom Saintfiet expresses his frustration with this situation, highlighting the lack of consideration towards the victims of the earthquake and their families. He feels that it is not the right time to concentrate on a football match, but is resigned to having to play, despite the persistent anxiety and lack of concentration of his players.
Conclusion :
The Gambia coach’s poignant story highlights the devastating impact the Morocco earthquake had on the team and its staff. This testimony also raises controversy around CAF’s decision to maintain the match in such circumstances. More than a simple sporting event, this meeting represents an additional test for already proven players. It is essential to take into account the trauma suffered by individuals and to show empathy in such situations, so as not to trivialize the suffering of those affected by a natural disaster.