Joy Sweeps Moroccan Cities as Atlas Cubs Reach U-20 World Cup Final

The presence of the women’s national football team, finalists in the 2024 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, at the reception hosted on Wednesday by His Majesty King Mohammed VI on the occasion of the glorious Throne Day celebrations, is yet another illustration of the Sovereign’s unfailing benevolence towards sport in general and football in particular.

In fact, His Majesty the King has consistently supported Moroccan athletes by providing them with all the conditions necessary to encourage them to achieve the best results and fly the national flag high at the continental, regional, and international levels.

Speaking to the press, on the occasion of the Throne Day reception offered by HM the King, the Atlas Lionesses said that they were proud to be received by the Sovereign, adding that it is a great honor and a source of motivation to persevere in the same path in order to meet the aspirations of His Majesty the King and the Moroccan people.

This Royal gesture of goodwill is a “source of motivation to continue working for the next African Cup of Nations,” emphasized the Atlas Lionesses captain, Ghizlane Chebbak, top scorer of the continental competition. 

In this respect, she reiterated, on behalf of the entire national team, their commitment to do their best to meet the expectations of the Moroccan people.

For her part, Khadija Errmichi, the team’s goalkeeper, said that “on this occasion dear to our hearts and to the hearts of all Moroccans, the glorious Throne Day, we express our heartfelt thanks and deep gratitude to HM the King,” emphasizing that the Sovereign’s High Solicitude and Goodwill remain “unforgettable moments” forever engraved in the memory of the members of the national team.

“We will redouble our efforts to fly the national flag high and always present the best image of national women’s football,” she said.

For Sanae Messaoudi, this royal gesture is “a source of pride for all of us.” “We hope to bring happiness to the Moroccans who support us and have always supported us,” she said.

“We ask the Moroccan public to continue to support us and we promise to do our best to achieve this ambition” of winning the continental title, she said.

“It’s a dream for us. We are very happy to be received by His Majesty the King,” said Yasmine Katie Mrabet, defender for the women’s national team. 

The Moroccan international expressed the national team’s great pride in their brilliant performance during the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations. “We will learn from our mistakes and work to improve,” she said.

For his part, the national women’s football team head coach, Jorge Vilda, said that he was honored to be received, along with the members of the national team, by His Majesty King Mohammed VI. “It’s an unforgettable day. The national team players are very happy,“ he said, adding that ”this noble royal gesture is a recognition of the work done.”

After their brilliant performance at the last Women’s AFCON in 2024, which the Kingdom hosted, His Majesty the King sent a message of congratulations to the members of the women’s national team, in which He praised “the outstanding competitive spirit and the high sense of patriotism” shown by the members of the national team throughout the championship.

HM the King also praised their firm determination to establish the strong presence of Moroccan football at the continental and international levels and to represent, as they should, national women’s sport, as well as the efforts of the players and the technical, medical, and administrative staff to fulfill the expectations of Moroccan fans who aspire to more titles.

The Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final was lost by the Moroccan national team against Nigeria (2-3) due to “small details,” said head coach Jorge Vilda.

“The players delivered a perfect first half, but in the second half, they collapsed physically due to the significant effort they put in during the first half of the match,” explained Vilda during a press conference held after the final of the Women Africa Cup of Nations (Morocco 2024).

He emphasized that the cancellation of the penalty in the final minutes of the match was a blow to the players, considering that the national team was the better side on the field, despite the strength of the Nigerian team.

“It is still too early to assess the Moroccan team’s performance in this tournament,” he said, stressing that all members of the national team are disappointed and deeply saddened by the loss of the title.

In this regard, he added that the national team includes experienced players capable of giving a lot in the future, despite the age of some of them, explaining that the physical collapse was due to having played 120 minutes in the semifinal against Ghana, in addition to the great efforts made throughout the tournament.

Morocco’s National Women Football Team lost the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON Morocco 2024) to Nigeria by a score of 3-2 on Saturday at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.

Ghizlane Chebbak (13’) and Sanaa Mssoudy (24’) scored Morocco’s goals, while Ijeoma Okoronkwo (64’, p.), Folashade Ijamilusi (71’), and Onyi Echegini (88’) completed Nigeria’s comeback.

Third place in this edition went to Ghana, who beat South Africa 4-3 on penalties (regular time 1-1) in the third place match on Friday at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.

Morocco’s national women football team booked their place in the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final, after edging Ghana 4-2 on penalties in a tense semi-final clash that ended 1-1 after extra time on Tuesday at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.

Stella Nyamekye had opened the scoring for Ghana in the 26th minute, before Sakina Ouzraoui managed to equalize for Morocco in the 55th.

For the final, Morocco will face, on Saturday 9:00 pm local time in Rabat, Nigeria who had eliminated South Africa earlier in the day (2-1).

The Moroccan women’s national football team has qualified for the semi-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after defeating their Malian counterparts 3-1 (halftime 1-0) on Friday evening at the Rabat Olympic Stadium in the quarter-finals. 

The goals for the Atlas Lionesses were scored by Ibtissam Jraidi, who netted a brace (7th, 79th min, penalty), and Kenza Chapelle (89th min). Aissata Traoré scored Mali’s consolation goal in stoppage time (90+7th min, penalty).

In the semi-finals, Morocco will face the winner of Saturday’s quarter-final between Ghana and Algeria, to be played in Berkane.

Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak has been selected in the Best XI for the group stage of the Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON), unveiled on Wednesday by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

According to CAF’s technical study group, The Best XI of the group phase of the tournament, held until July 26 in Morocco, is “set up in a 4-3-3 formation, highlighting the standout performers of this first round, following a thrilling group phase that saw 45 goals scored in 18 matches”, CAF said on its website.

The midfield trio of Rasheedat Ajibade (Nigeria), Ghizlane Chebbak and Refiloe Jane (South Africa) embodies pace, power and precision, the same source adds, noting that Ghizlane Chebbak, voted Best Player of the group phase, “orchestrated play with vision, precise passing, and attacking flair”.

Chebbak, 34, contributed to the Moroccan team’s qualification for the quarter-finals with 4 goals in the group phase.

The XI’s defensive line is based on an experienced central pairing made up of Bambanani Mbane (South Africa) and Zambia’s Lushomo Mweemba, alongside Ashleigh Plumptre (Nigeria) and Fikile Magama (South Africa).

Meanwhile, Algerian goalkeeper Chloé N’Gazi was voted best keeper of the first round.

South Africa’s Desiree Ellis, reigning champion with Banyana Banyana, was awarded Best Coach of the group phase.

In the quarter-finals next Friday (8 p.m.), Morocco will face Mali at Rabat’s Olympic Stadium.