Africa spans 30.37m square kilometres,taking in more than 1.2 billion people,who speak between 1,000 and 2,000 languages across 54 countries. These are aspects not always obvious from the monolithic way a continent of wondrous diversity is written about and discussed,something the World Cup has brought into even sharper focus. Of course,it remains true and significant that Morocco : who face France in this evening's second semi-final : are the first African side to reach this stage of the competition. But,though Walid Regragui's men no doubt feel the honour of that joyous achievement,what is also evident is the extent to which it is particular and specific.
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