‘Dima Maghreb’: Moroccan fans ready to oust Scots in Boston ahead of World Cup matchup

REVERE — In the days leading up to Morocco’s match against Scotland on Friday evening, establishments throughout the city prepared to cheer on the Atlas Lions.

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Morocco’s participation in the World Cup is a monumental event in Revere, where an estimated 10 percent of the city has Moroccan ancestry.

At Beyrut Espresso on Thursday, fans were already suited up in their Moroccan jerseys as they sipped on mint tea and enjoyed the different assortment of pastries on offer.

“People have been coming to discover Moroccan foods. But also Moroccan fans from Morocco have been coming,” said Hajar Jouri, a barista at the cafe. “We’ve been opening late as we show all the games.”

Moustafa El Badaoui, 63, joked that Moroccan fans are unlikely to be intimidated by the Scots.

“We are going to be overwhelming against Scottish fans. We have thousands of Moroccan fans,” said the real estate broker, who’s been living in Revere since 1994. “This is good. This is like a wedding, bringing people together.”

Ahmad Adi, 50, said he was taking his two kids to the game in Foxborough so they could witness the “special” moment, and he expects to cheer for his beloved country at the top of his lungs.

“Morocco is like the Brazil of Africa,” Adi said. “In the 80s, we struggled, but now we are competing to be in the final.”

He said he expected his family was going to “lose our voice, singing ‘Dima Maghred,’” which means “Always Morocco.”

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Some fans were hoping to still snag last minute tickets to the game.

Ahmed Akhsasi, 42, who had just landed on Thursday morning from Doha, Qatar, said he wanted to watch his beloved country play at the World Cup.

“It’s emotional; you feel proud that your country is representing you at a World Cup,” he said, sitting with friends at the cafe. “It’s an exciting time to be a Moroccan football fan. The quality of the games and the players is high. The ambition is high.”

Jawad Bardigue, 45, was sitting having a latte at Casablanca House of Pastry, a coffee shop in the city which was packed with Moroccan fans in their red jerseys, on Thursday after traveling with friends to the city from Jersey the day before. He’d attended Morocco’s game against Brazil on Saturday, and he wanted to see his countrymen play Scotland at Foxborough.

“It’s expensive. We hope [to go] if the price goes down,” he said.

Kaouthar Maane, Casablanca’s co-owner, said her 15-year old business is always busy and is popular with Moroccan fans.

“If people want to celebrate the Moroccan national team, they come to Casablanca,” she said. “We are happy to serve our community.”

Latifa Chahour, in her red Moroccan jersey, was at the cafe grabbing brunch with friends. She wanted to go to the game but failed to get tickets. The Fan Zone in Boston sold out, so she plans to watch the game at one of the Moroccan cafes in the city.

“We have a good team now,” she said. “Of course, we will win against Scotland and go to the final, Inshaallah.”

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Can the Moroccan fans oudst the Tartan Army?

“They are more than us, but we will do our best,” Chahour said. “Dima Maghreb.”