Latest news with #SakinaOuzraoui
Morocco World
3 days ago
- Sport
- Morocco World
Morocco vs. Senegal: Time, Stakes, and Where to Watch Tonight's WAFCON Showdown
Rabat –All eyes will be on tonight Rabat's Stade Olympique as hosts Morocco face Senegal in a crucial Group A match at the Women's African Cup of Nations ( WAFCON ) 2025. Kick-off is set for 8:00 PM local time, with the stakes high for both sides in this third and final group stage fixture. The Atlas Lionesses , lifted by their home supporters, need just a draw to book their place in the next round. Sitting atop Group A with four points, level with Zambia but ahead on goal difference, a win tonight would see them clinch first place and potentially set up a more favorable quarterfinal tie. For Senegal, the mission is clear: only a win keeps them in contention. Currently third in the group with three points, the Lionesses of Teranga are determined to upset the hosts and keep their WAFCON campaign alive. The two sides have met before, most notably last October when Morocco dominated Senegal 7–0 in a friendly. But both teams insist that this result belongs in the past. 'That match helped us identify our weaknesses,' said Sadiqatou Diallo, Senegal's U20 captain who has since graduated to the senior squad. 'We've worked hard since then, and this is a completely different context.' Read also: WAFCON 2024: Morocco Dominates DR Congo 4-2 Moroccan midfielder Sakina Ouzraoui also cautioned against underestimating Senegal. 'It won't be the same game. We've seen what Senegal achieved against DR Congo and Zambia. They're a disciplined team with quality and determination,' she noted. Morocco coach Jorge Vilda is focused on staying true to his side's identity. 'We won't change our style. We have our model, and the players are motivated to deliver a strong performance,' he said. Morocco have impressed offensively in the tournament, scoring five goals in their first two matches, though their defensive solidity remains a work in progress. Senegal, meanwhile, showed resilience and attacking flair in their narrow 3–2 loss to Zambia, earning praise for the performances of Nguenar Ndiaye and Mama Diop. The match will be broadcast live on Arryadia, available on its terrestrial network (TNT). It is also expected to air on beIN Sports 3 (in Arabic) and Canal+ Sport. In addition, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) may stream the game on its official YouTube channel (CAF TV), offering fans around the world another way to watch. Will Morocco secure their place as group winners on home soil, or will Senegal rise to the challenge and extend their tournament run? Don't miss what promises to be a thrilling encounter. Tags: Moroccomorocco wafconwafcon 2025
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Morocco 'showed fight' to claim draw in Wafcon opener
Morocco's 88th-minute equaliser against Zambia sparked wild celebrations among staff and players on the touchline [EPA] Hosts Morocco proved they have spirit by claiming a late draw in the opening match of the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, according to forward Sakina Ouzraoui. The Atlas Lionesses trailed twice against Zambia, but Ghizlane Chebbak's long-range strike in the 88th minute ensured that the North Africans picked up a point in the Group A encounter in Rabat. Advertisement "We showed that we are fighters," Ouzraoui told BBC Sport Africa. "We are Morocco and we don't give up easy. "It is a big feeling because we were losing. Having a draw at the last minute is a good result." Zambia had enjoyed the perfect start at the Olympic Stadium, with Barbra Banda opening the scoring in the first minute. Ibtissam Jraidi hit back from the penalty spot in the 12th minute, but the Copper Queens then restored their lead before the break through Racheal Kundananji. Morocco have invested heavily in women's football in recent years as they bid to claim a first continental title, and were runners-up at the 2022 edition of Wafcon. Advertisement "We wanted to have the win but we know Zambia is a good team, fast and strong, with big players," Ouzraoui said. "We know all the pressure is on us because the [Wafcon] is being played here and we were finalists at the last one. "We have two games coming and we have to win them because we want the cup to stay here." Team-mate Yasmin Mrabet said the Atlas Lionesses had managed their emotions well after falling behind early on. "I think that's something we need to really look at and improve on," the midfielder said. "I think we were able to control a lot of moments of the game. Advertisement "There's always a lot of expectation, being the host of the tournament also, and especially with our last [Wafcon], but I think we need to be calm. We need to go match by match." Zambia will 'work on mistakes' Zambia led twice against Morocco but were forced to settle for a point in the Group A opener [EPA] Zambia are also among the favourites to lift the trophy in Rabat on 26 July, given they finished third in 2022 and boast Africa's two most expensive female players in Kundananji and Banda. Kundananji, who plays for Bay FC in the USA's National Women's Soccer League, says a point against Morocco is "just the beginning" for the Copper Queens. "At a tournament, drawing a game - and the first game for that matter - it's not good to be disappointed," the 25-year-old forward told BBC Sport Africa. Advertisement "This has just opened our eyes to go and work hard, make sure we manage the game, the next game and take the three points. "We're going [to] work on our mistakes." Meanwhile, Zambia coach Nora Hauptle says she and her squad will not be affected by outside opinions or those back home who expect the side to go deep at the tournament. "We are not listening so much on expectations," the Swiss said. "I think the pressure you create [is] in your inner world. "It's a good start. I would say very entertaining for the spectators - good crowd, good atmosphere - and for me also Morocco is a top team which will battle for the title."
BBC News
06-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Morocco 'showed fight' to claim draw in Wafcon opener
Hosts Morocco proved they have spirit by claiming a late draw in the opening match of the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, according to forward Sakina Atlas Lionesses trailed twice against Zambia, but Ghizlane Chebbak's long-range strike in the 88th minute ensured that the North Africans picked up a point in the Group A encounter in Rabat."We showed that we are fighters," Ouzraoui told BBC Sport Africa."We are Morocco and we don't give up easy."It is a big feeling because we were losing. Having a draw at the last minute is a good result."Zambia had enjoyed the perfect start at the Olympic Stadium, with Barbra Banda opening the scoring in the first Jraidi hit back from the penalty spot in the 12th minute, but the Copper Queens then restored their lead before the break through Racheal Kundananji. Morocco have invested heavily in women's football in recent years as they bid to claim a first continental title, and were runners-up at the 2022 edition of Wafcon."We wanted to have the win but we know Zambia is a good team, fast and strong, with big players," Ouzraoui said."We know all the pressure is on us because the [Wafcon] is being played here and we were finalists at the last one."We have two games coming and we have to win them because we want the cup to stay here."Team-mate Yasmin Mrabet said the Atlas Lionesses had managed their emotions well after falling behind early on."I think that's something we need to really look at and improve on," the midfielder said."I think we were able to control a lot of moments of the game."There's always a lot of expectation, being the host of the tournament also, and especially with our last [Wafcon], but I think we need to be calm. We need to go match by match." Zambia will 'work on mistakes' Zambia are also among the favourites to lift the trophy in Rabat on 26 July, given they finished third in 2022 and boast Africa's two most expensive female players in Kundananji and who plays for Bay FC in the USA's National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), says a point against Morocco is "just the beginning" for the Copper Queens."At a tournament, drawing a game - and the first game for that matter - it's not good to be disappointed," the 25-year-old forward told BBC Sport Africa."This has just opened our eyes to go and work hard, make sure we manage the game, the next game and take the three points."We're going [to] work on our mistakes."Meanwhile, Zambia coach Nora Hauptle says she and her squad will not be affected by outside opinions or those back home who expect the side to go deep at the tournament."We are not listening so much on expectations," the Swiss said."I think the pressure you create [is] in your inner world."It's a good start. I would say very entertaining for the spectators - good crowd, good atmosphere - and for me also Morocco is a top team which will battle for the title."
