Morocco women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda said the Atlas Lionesses are fully prepared for Saturday’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) quarter-final against South Africa, with the team’s main objective extending beyond the tournament to securing direct qualification for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Friday, Vilda said his players enter the match with confidence and determination.
“We have a great desire to win, and we have a lot of confidence,” Vilda said. “We want Morocco to qualify directly for the World Cup for only the second time in its history. We want to achieve that tomorrow.”
Morocco will face defending champions South Africa in a crucial knockout match at Stade Moulay Hassan in Rabat, with a place in the semi-finals and direct World Cup qualification at stake.
Vilda acknowledged the quality of the South African side, saying his coaching staff is well aware of the challenge posed by Banyana Banyana.
“We know South Africa very well,” he said. “They have fast players and are strong collectively. I think it will be a balanced match that will be decided by small details, and I hope those details will be in our favor.”
The Spanish coach also highlighted a shift in Morocco’s mentality compared with previous years.
“In the past, the team looked at South Africa in a certain way. Now we look at them without fear,” he said.
Despite Morocco failing to score in its previous match despite creating more than 20 chances, Vilda expressed confidence that his side’s attacking efficiency would return against South Africa.
He also praised the team’s defensive performances after the Atlas Lionesses kept clean sheets in their last three matches, emphasizing that the achievement reflected a collective effort rather than individual performances from the goalkeeper.
“Our defensive solidity is the result of teamwork,” he said.
Vilda concluded by calling on Moroccan supporters to create a strong atmosphere in Rabat.
“We need the fans for this match. We need all Moroccans behind the team, whether they are in the stadium or watching on television,” he said. “I am convinced we can achieve this together, and I hope the players hear the roar of the crowd louder than ever.”
Morocco will be aiming to book a place in the WAFCON semi-finals and move one step closer to qualifying directly for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup when it faces South Africa on Saturday at Stade Moulay Hassan.
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