The head coach of the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco, Jorge Vilda says the squad is looking to win the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The tournament will take place in Morocco this summer from July 5-26, and the Moroccan coach says he is working hard to prepare the squad in the best way.
Vilda spoke at a press event where he announced the squad list for friendly matches against Tunisia and Cameroon.
“We hope to play more matches before the tournament to prepare well. We played against Congo and other teams to get ready. We chose teams similar to our opponents in the tournament.”
He added, “Now, with the final FIFA-approved window before the competition, we will play Tunisia and Cameroon. They are tough teams. They will test us, but these games will help us see where we stand before the tournament.”
“In the last year and a half, we made big progress. We have a strong defense,” Vilda continued. “We also improved our attack and varied our style. The tournament is getting closer, and this gives us more motivation to perform well.”
The Morocco head coach said that he has a “clear criteria” to select players, focusing on both performance and readiness.
“We do not care where a player comes from. The key is that she has a Moroccan passport. We have players from local clubs like AS FAR and Wydad, as well as professionals in Europe and America. Their experience in top leagues is important for us.”
In regards to this particular squad, he says he trusts them, adding that it is the “best I have coached so far. Our goal is to win and make Moroccan fans happy. Once the referee blows the whistle, all teams have the same chance. The team that plays best will win. We hope to lift the trophy,” Vilda concluded.
The Moroccan team will face Tunisia on April 4 and Cameroon on April 8. Both friendly matches will take place at the Stade Père Jégo in Casablanca.
These are the final tests before the Atlas Lionesses take the continental stage.
