Morocco returned to Wafcon for the primary time since 2000 when the nation hosted the 2022 version, however the hosts, who will even 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 towards Zambia within the opening sport after which trailed Ghana at half-time within the final 4.
Goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi has regarded shaky on a number of events, 34-year-old star participant and captain Ghizlane Chebbak has pale within the knockout stage and winger Sanaa Mssoudy has not displayed the extent of trickery and influence which noticed her named as the very best participant ultimately yr’s Girls’s African Champions League and within the 2024-25 Moroccan league marketing campaign.
But Chebbak, the joint-top scorer within the event with 4 objectives, remains to be able to producing in essential moments and striker Ibtissam Jraidi gives a innovative up entrance.
“I’ve seen a Moroccan workforce that does not actually quit even when they’re trailing,” Need Oparanozie, a four-time Wafcon winner with Nigeria, advised BBC Sport Africa.
“They have been very spectacular. They maintain 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 ultimate 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 aspect 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 ultimate,” Algerian journalist Maher Mezahi advised 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 sport – even when that may be a little bit tainted with him being the coach.”
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