Morocco women’s national football team head coach Jorge Vilda said his players will approach the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off on Sunday, with total determination and a clear desire to live up to the expectations of Moroccan fans.
“Our Lionesses will give everything on the pitch. They will fight until the very end with commitment and determination. No one will be able to question their dedication. We will do everything possible to make Moroccans proud of their national team,” he told MAP on the eve of the tournament, which runs through August 16 in Rabat and Casablanca.
The Spanish coach said this edition of the Women’s AFCON carries added significance as it also serves as a pathway to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, to be held in Brazil next summer.
The objective is to reach the semifinals to secure direct qualification for the World Cup. “After that, we’ll see how far we can go,” he said, while stressing the importance of staying focused on Morocco’s opening match against Kenya and taking the tournament “step by step.”
After three seasons in charge of the Atlas Lionesses, Vilda believes the national team has reached a new level. More than 100 players have been assessed during FIFA international windows and training camps before narrowing the squad down to 26 internationals.
According to Vilda, this process has gradually expanded Morocco’s talent pool while increasing competition for places within the team.
The former Spain coach said his work has focused on strengthening the team’s defensive organization while enhancing its attacking capabilities to produce a more attractive and creative style of football.
Beyond tactics, he stressed the importance of mindset, competitiveness and commitment, which he considers the foundations of the team’s progress in recent years.
Playing on home soil is not an added source of pressure but rather a powerful motivation, Vilda added.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup-winning coach with Spain said the high expectations of Moroccan supporters reflect the confidence they have in the team.
He welcomed the opportunity to play in front of home fans, whom the Atlas Lionesses are eager to reward with performances that match the country’s ambitions.
Morocco will compete in Group A of the Women’s AFCON alongside Senegal, Algeria and Kenya.
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