Morocco returned to Wafcon for the primary time since 2000 when the nation hosted the 2022 version, however the hosts, who may also stage the 2026 finals in March, have now firmly established themselves as one of many continent’s elite sides.
Nonetheless, their performances this month haven’t been as convincing as three years in the past, given they fell behind twice in opposition to Zambia within the opening recreation after which trailed Ghana at half-time within the final 4.
Goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi has appeared shaky on a number of events, 34-year-old star participant and captain Ghizlane Chebbak has light within the knockout stage and winger Sanaa Mssoudy has not displayed the extent of trickery and influence which noticed her named as the perfect participant eventually yr’s Girls’s African Champions League and within the 2024-25 Moroccan league marketing campaign.
But Chebbak, the joint-top scorer within the match with 4 targets, remains to be able to producing in essential moments and striker Ibtissam Jraidi supplies a innovative up entrance.
“I’ve seen a Moroccan staff that does not actually quit even when they’re trailing,” Want Oparanozie, a four-time Wafcon winner with Nigeria, instructed BBC Sport Africa.
“They have been very spectacular. They hold coming at you and that is actually a constructive factor.”
Vilda’s appointment was controversial, given he left the Spain job amid the fallout from an incident on the 2023 Girls’s World Cup last when then-federation president Luis Rubiales kissed participant Jenni Hermoso with out her consent.
Rubiales was discovered responsible of sexual assault and fined, whereas Vilda was cleared of allegations of coercion.
But his presence within the Morocco dugout has divided supporters – even when he may create historical past by serving to a North African facet win Wafcon for the primary time whereas additionally attaining a singular private double.
“Morocco are going to wish a coach to make them greater than the sum of their components to win this last,” Algerian journalist Maher Mezahi instructed the BBC World Service.
“I’ve even seen arguments to say that Morocco hiring Vilda, if he will get them to win the Wafcon, could be price it as a result of it is going to take action far more for the ladies’s recreation – even when that could be a little bit tainted with him being the coach.”
