WAFCON Kicks Off: Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses Face Tough Zambian Test in Tournament Opener

Ranked in Group A, Morocco faces Zambia this Saturday as part of the opening match of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). The Atlas Lionesses will seek to defeat the Copper Queens to get off to a good start in this WAFCON at home. But the task may prove difficult. The last four direct confrontations between the two teams resulted in three defeats and only one victory for the Moroccan footballers. During the first leg of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games playoffs, Zineb Redouani’s team had beaten Zambia 1-2. They lost the return leg at home (0-2), thus missing out on qualification. The previous year, the Atlas Lionesses had suffered a 0-2 defeat, then a heavy 2-6 loss at home in a friendly double confrontation.

On the eve of the Atlas Lionesses’ debut in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Moroccan national team coach Jorge Vilda sought to reassure Moroccan supporters. "I am very enthusiastic about starting the tournament tomorrow. We have prepared for a long time, and everything has gone well," he said at the pre-match press conference. And he added: "We have also played several friendly matches that have allowed us to progress and reach good form for this WAFCON."

The match between Morocco and Zambia will take place this Saturday in Morocco at 9 pm local time (GMT+1), 10 pm in France and Zambia, at the Rabat Olympic Stadium. This match can be followed live on the CAF TV YouTube channel and on Arryadia.

It should be remembered that the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is taking place from July 5 to 26 in Morocco. It brings together 12 teams divided into three groups of four.