Morocco’s Women’s Soccer Team Aims for World Cup Qualification Under Coach Pedros

At 50 years old, the man who was elected best coach in the world in 2018, is delighted to be in charge of an ambitious women’s team like that of Morocco. He is especially pleasantly surprised by the number of people who are supporting the players. "There are sometimes more complicated moments than others but overall we are very satisfied with the work undertaken with the players, the federation, the league, the clubs," reports CNEWS.

For him, even if being a coach of a national team has nothing to do with the experiences he has had so far, "the advantage is that we live on site. It’s not like we go back to France and only come back for the FIFA dates. If I took on a national team, it’s also because I knew I would have more time for myself. Today, we also take care of the young people (U20, U17). But even if you don’t work every day, the work time has to be optimal. What’s important is to have freedom on the side and free time," he said.

It is with Morocco that Reynald Pedros discovers African women’s football. "In terms of major nations, there is South Africa, Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana (which Morocco has just beaten in a friendly). These are countries that are very often at the CAN. Now the goal is for Morocco to reach that level and be regularly at the CAN and the World Cup," he said.

He is also delighted that Morocco is hosting the 2022 CAN, which will be held from July 2 to 23. A test competition that will allow him to measure the scope of the work he has seriously started a year ago. "We can thank the President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation for having worked so that Morocco hosts the CAN. This allows us to work more calmly and serenely." Reynald Pedros hopes that the Atlas Lionesses will give their best at this CAN. "The first objective is to qualify for the World Cup, which implies being semi-finalists. This will be unprecedented. So we have to do it. Then, if we are semi-finalists, we can do anything and believe that we can win the CAN."

For him, although it is a huge pressure to host the CAN, it is important for the players to impose themselves. "Morocco has long been a land of football on the men’s side, and it has to become so for women’s football as well. And I am sure that if there is enthusiasm, people will be interested and come to encourage. The recognition of the people and the public is important, because the players are very attached to their country." He assures that the players have the capacity to amaze their audience and they are determined to write beautiful pages of women’s football.