![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/gxBqi3-Ot-pScTUVJNfNwpeBekY=\/750x422\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.soccernet.ng%2Fmain%2F2026%2F06%2FNS-2-Photo-Frame-Facebook-Soccernet4.jpg\")
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Brazil’s Neymar and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi. Copyright: Imago<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Former Super Eagles and Roda JC midfielder Garba Lawal has pitted Morocco’s captain Achraf Hakimi to cause damage to Neymar’s Brazil when both nations square up in the FIFA World Cup<\/a> tonight, <\/strong>Soccernet.ng <\/strong><\/a>reports.<\/strong><\/p>\n Brazil and Morocco were drawn into Group C alongside Haiti and Scotland, but the opener sees two of the favourite nations to qualify directly go head-to-head.<\/p>\n Carlo Ancelotti’s side will be without Neymar<\/a>, who’s been sidelined with a calf injury. The news is a big boost for the Atlas Lions, who were announced as African Champions<\/a> months after the AFCON 2025 final was played.<\/p>\n Get Our Sports News First \u2013\u00a0Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Garba Lawal represented Nigeria at two World Cups, the 1998 edition in France and the 2002 edition in Korea\/Japan. The 52-year-old played a key role in Nigeria’s second goal against Spain<\/a>.<\/p>\n Quizzed about what Morocco can do against Brazil, the former Santa Clara midfielder mentioned that the Atlas Lions did the unthinkable in Qatar and should not be underrated.<\/p>\n \u201cMorocco in 2022 was fantastic,\u201d Lawal told Footy-Africa<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n \u201cThere are high expectations for them. People expect them to go far again. But it\u2019s not going to be easy. <\/p>\n \u201cEverybody knows Brazil in football. I believe it\u2019s all about self-confidence, inner conviction and determination. If they can bring that, they can surprise the world.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cIf Brazil beat Morocco, it\u2019s not a story, but if Morocco beat Brazil, it\u2019s a massive story,\u201d Lawal continued.<\/p>\n \u201cFootball is not mathematics. What you expect to happen doesn\u2019t always happen. <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why there are so many surprises in football. If they believe in themselves, they can win.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Achraf Hakimi was the CAF Player of the Year Award winner for 2025, having come off a treble-winning season with Paris Saint-Germain.<\/p>\n The former Borussia Dortmund defender was a crucial part of Luis Enrique’s side as they won the UEFA Champions League again, joining Real Madrid on an elite list.<\/p>\n Lawal believes Hakimi will play a very important role if Morocco are to shock the five-time World Cup winners tonight.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are high expectations for him as well,\u201d the two-time Dutch Cup winner continued. <\/p>\n \u201cThe team is looking forward to having him there. He has won the Champions League back-to-back, so you can see how far he can go. <\/p>\n \u201cI believe people expect him to perform well at the World Cup.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cThe World Cup is a completely different ball game. It\u2019s the highest level of football you can reach in your career. <\/p>\n \u201cAt the World Cup, you\u2019re competing against the very best players in the world. Every country selects the players they believe are best suited for their team.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n While Neymar is 34-years-old and clearly past his best years, Lawal believes the former Barcelona attacker cannot be written off.<\/p>\n \u201cVinicius has a major role to play in that team. I believe Brazilians are looking up to him to help lead the team.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can never write Neymar off. What he has continued to do on the pitch is unbelievable. <\/p>\n \u201cWhen his name was announced on the squad list, the whole country celebrated. That shows how much respect and admiration people have for him.<\/p>\n \u201cBrazil has the quality to succeed, but they are not the only team with quality. <\/p>\n \u201cGermany, England, France, Spain and many other countries have talented squads as well. That\u2019s why it\u2019s called the World Cup \u2014 the best of the best competing against one another,\u201d the former Super Eagles midfielder concluded.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \ud83d\udea8\ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddf7 BREAKING: Neymar Jr to miss Brazil vs Morocco opening game but back next week.<\/p>\n \u201cNeymar is working very hard to recover as quickly as possible. The expectation is that he will recover and rejoin the group next week\u201d. pic.twitter.com\/8aFLuHyo11<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u2014 Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 12, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n The kick-off for the game between Brazil and Morocco is scheduled for 11:00 PM WAT<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/rtmDPrSf5dWy1AHy9gxXVMNAgNo=\/1024x655\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.soccernet.ng%2Fmain%2F2023%2F12%2Fimago1020124166h.jpg\")
Soccer Ex-Super Eagles star Garba Lawal backs Morocco to shock Brazil<\/h2>\n
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Soccer Hakimi’s effect, Vinicius and Neymar’s impact<\/h2>\n
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