Canada Global (Web News) Yassine Bounou has shown patience throughout his career, but the Moroccan goalkeeper with the eye-catching moniker is demonstrating at this World Cup that he more than deserves to be on the big stage.
Bounou, or “Bono,” as his shirt’s name appears, was left off the team for both the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2018 World Cup in Russia, although he was crucial in helping Morocco establish a new standard for African football in Qatar.
With 14 foreign-born players on the team, Morocco has demonstrated its ability to be united despite its variety. There is no better illustration of this than the defence, which has only given up a goal in five games.
In their tournament opener, Bounou held Croatia, who finished second in 2018, at bay. After standing with the team for the national anthems before the 2-0 victory over Belgium, he abruptly vanished just before the game.
Since his return against his native Canada, the 31-year-old Bounou hasn’t made a single mistake. Despite an own goal by Nayef Aguerd, Morocco prevailed 2-1 to finish unexpectedly first in Group F.
Amazingly, Morocco has not allowed an opponent to score at this World Cup, and that is still the case despite the North Africans needing penalties to defeat Spain in the round of 16.
Bounou made saves from Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets as Morocco prevailed 3-0 in the shootout to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time. Spain’s first attempt, by Pablo Sarabia, hit the post.
In a 1-0 victory over Portugal, he was once more named player of the game after rejecting five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo in stoppage time to put an end to his World Cup hopes.
