By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Despite trailing 0-2 to the visiting Malawians till the 41′ of the game, Morocco’s senior women’s football team Atlas Lionesses came from behind to wallop their opponents 4-2 in a pre-tournament international friendly match played yesterday at Stade Municipal Kenitra, Morocco.
The host of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) holding in Morocco from July 5 to 26, 2025, which has been in the training camp with 30 players since Wednesday, June 11 at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maamoura yesterday closed the camp on a high with a victory over Malawi in a friendly tie.
Coach Jorge Vilda Rodriguez’s team was embarrassed early in the encounter as the Malawians scored two goals earlier on courtesy of red-hot Temwa Chaŵinga who plays professional football with the Kansas City Current of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), United States of America (USA) and Montpellier FC of France’ midfielder Rose Kadzere in the 27′ (penalty) and 36′ respectively.
But the Lionesses roared back with two quick-fire goals in the 41′ of the match by Najat Badri, who plays as a midfielder for AS FAR women’s and as a defender for the national team, and UD Tenerife forward Sakina Ouzraoui Diki in the 44′ to end the first half in a 2-2 draw.
However, coach Vilda tweaked his tactical approach in the second half which saw Morocco scored two more goals from the boots of Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia forward Ibtissam Jraïdi (57′) and Strasbourg FC striker Kenza Chapelle (90+6′) to run away with a 4-2 win.
With this heartwarming victory over Malawi, Prompt News gathered that
the Moroccan team’s gaffer will this weekend name his final team that will prosecute the WAFCON competition for the host nation, which finished second in the 2022 edition of the biggest women’s football tournament in Africa.
Vilda’s team is expected to include a mix of seasoned internationals and emerging talents across all positions just as three goalkeepers Khadija Rmichi, Fatima Zahra Jabraoui and, either Hind Hassnaoui or Iness Arouaissa will make the cut.
Also, all four defenders currently in camp Hannan Ait Lhaj, Zeineb Radouani, Nouhaila Benzina, and Yassmine Amrabet will make the squad, too
Midfielders, Ghizlane Chebbak, Anissa Lahmari, Salma Lachen Amani, and Sara Kassi will be joined by some high profiles, while the attacking lineup including the effervescent
Fatima Tagnaout, Ibtissam Jraidi, and Kenza Chapelle are likely to make the final list.
Morocco will play in Group A alongside Zambia, Senegal, and DR Congo.
Group B comprises Nigeria,Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana, while Group C has defending champions South Africa, Ghana, Mali, and Tanzania.
