Latest news with #Vilda
Morocco World
a day ago
- Sport
- Morocco World
Morocco File Formal Referee Complaint After WAFCON Final Loss to Nigeria
Morocco's football federation has lodged a formal complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over what it described as 'refereeing injustices' during the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final against Nigeria. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) said the match official failed to award a clear penalty in the 82nd minute, with the score level at 2-2. Video footage showed a potential handball by a Nigerian defender, but after a VAR check, the referee waved play on. Morocco's coaching staff and players expressed frustration immediately after the incident. The federation claims the decision altered the course of the match, which Nigeria went on to win 3-2. Speaking after the match, Moroccan head coach Jorge Vilda said: 'It was a small detail that cost us the game,' referring to the penalty decision. Vilda, usually reserved on refereeing matters, added that fatigue played a key role in his side's second-half collapse. Nigeria's coach, Justine Madugu, credited Morocco for a dominant first half and said tactical adjustments at half-time proved decisive. 'The players who came off the bench made the difference,' he said. 'Morocco have a promising future.' The final, held at Rabat's Olympic Stadium, was a tightly contested match. Morocco led 2-1 at the break, but Nigeria rallied in the second half to claim their record-extending 10th title. The tournament marked Morocco's second-ever appearance in a WAFCON final. Ghana secured third place after beating South Africa on penalties in Casablanca. After the heartbreaking loss, King Mohammed VI congratulated the Moroccan team in a statement, praising their spirit and performance. He also commended the organisation of the tournament and the strong attendance across venues. Tags: MoroccoWAFCONWOmen's Africa Cup of Nations
Morocco World
3 days ago
- Sport
- Morocco World
Vilda on Nigeria vs Morocco Final: Canceled Penalty ‘Took Wind Out of Our Sails'
Rabat — Head coach for Morocco's women's football team Jorge Vilda has acknowledged how the unexplained referee decision to cancel a legitimate penalty shoot for the Atlas Lionesses caused a major blow for his squad in the final of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Saturday. Last night, the Moroccan squad was on the brink of winning the final match against Nigeria. But instead, the Atlas Lionesses were deprived of a penalty that the referee and the VAR room both claimed illegitimate. Despite footage showing a Nigerian player clearing and handling the ball in the penalty box, this was deemed insufficient by both the referee and the VAR room to uphold the overturned penalty. At the time, the match was tied 2-2 in the second half after the Atlas Lionesses had dominated the first half with a 2-0 lead. For Vilda, the situation caused a real psychological blow to Morocco. 'It took the wind out of our sails,' he said. He added that despite the disappointment, the Atlas Lionesses proved they belong on the continental stage. He acknowledged that 'Morocco paid dearly for small details,' commenting that the first half was perfect. However, Morocco's women's team showed physical exhaustion during the second half, which is only normal due to cumulative fatigue from previous games. Nigeria's coach Justin Madugu echoed Vilda's praise for the Atlas Lionesses' strong start, saying his squad was 'surprised by Morocco's tactical and physical strength in the first half.' Yesterday, Nigeria took its 10th WAFCON trophy. While the Atlas Lionesses were unable to claim their first, they earned more respect and support from Moroccan fans, who acknowledged their strength and powerful skills throughout the tournament.
CAF
3 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
Morocco - Nigeria: The Final of a New Era
This Saturday at 9pm (local time), the Olympic Stadium in Rabat will vibrate to the rhythm of a historic match: the 13th TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations final pits Morocco against Nigeria. Two giants of African Women's Football are preparing to faceoff in a thrilling atmosphere, in front of a Moroccan crowd seeking an unprecedented home title. This 2024 edition was marked by the spectacular rise of the Atlas Lionesses, under the leadership of Jorge Vilda, while the Super Falcons, led by Justin Madugu, are aiming for a 10th continental title. This matchup between a conquering Morocco and an experienced Nigeria promises to be a high-flying display of fine talent, combining determination, pride and passion. A legendary setting for a tense final The 21,000-seater Olympic Stadium in Rabat is the ideal setting for this grand evening. "Playing in front of our home crowd is an immense source of energy. This stadium is more than a pitch, it's an arena where our dreams can come to life," revealed Vilda, Morocco's Spanish coach, aware of the importance of this match for his team and his country. His opponent Madugu, the Nigerian coach, knows that they will have to overcome the local pressure: "We know the stakes and the intensity of the Moroccan crowd. But our players have experience in major finals and know how to handle this type of match." Morocco: A football revolution underway With a second consecutive final, the Atlas Lionesses have confirmed that they are now a major force on the continent. Their team play, orchestrated by Vilda, impresses with its fluidity, tactical discipline, and fighting spirit. "Our strength lies in our cohesion. We have worked hard to get to this point. Each player knows what they have to do on the pitch," emphasizes Vilda. The latter, who previously coached the Spanish women's national team, has instilled tactical rigor and a winning spirit into a team that is discovering its identity. On the offensive side, Morocco can count on brilliant talents like captain fantastic Ghizlane Chebbak and Ibtissam Jraidi, capable of making the difference at any moment. For the Moroccan staff, this final is also a symbolic step in the development of Women's Football in Morocco - a division that is booming thanks to the support of the federation and modern infrastructure. Nigeria: A heavyweight on the continent, still formidable Nigeria remains the undisputed benchmark in African Women's Football. With nine titles under their belt, the Super Falcons command respect. Their history is rich, made up of generations of talented players and a deeply rooted winning culture. Madugu focuses on the balance between youth and experience. "We have a highly motivated group of players, aware of the pressure of a final. They are ready to give their all," he explains. Nigeria have often shown that they can raise their level of play when the competition becomes intense. Their strong team spirit, athleticism, and lethal counterattack ability make them a formidable team. This final represents an opportunity for them to continue writing their legend and silence those who believe that Nigerian Women's Football is losing momentum. The Tactical Duel: Vilda vs Madugu On the bench, Vilda and Madugu are engaged in a duel of strategy. The former, known for his methodical style, has instilled rigorous discipline in Morocco, emphasizing a composed style of play based on ball control and intelligent pressing. The latter, at the helm of Nigeria, favours energetic and direct football, seeking to exploit the speed and physical power of his attackers. This tactical contrast makes the clash even more interesting. "It will be an intense match, where every detail will count," warns Vilda. "We'll have to be ready to counter their strengths, while imposing our own pace." Madugu, for his part, is relying on the confidence his players have gained throughout the competition: "We know Morocco is a strong team, but we have our own game plan." The Stakes and Symbolic Dimension For Morocco, a victory would be a crowning achievement, a first in the history of national women's football. This triumph would symbolize the emergence of a new African power, capable of competing with the continent's top teams. "It's not just a match. It's a message for the entire country. Women's football is making great strides, and this final is an opportunity to show the world that we belong," summarizes Vilda. For Nigeria, it's a matter of heritage and pride. Winning a 10th title would reinforce their status as a force to be reckoned with and consolidate their dominance. But it is also about proving that they are still at the top despite the rise of other nations. On Saturday in Rabat, it is much more than just two teams facing off. The history of African Women's Football is being written, with a glorious past and a promising future. Nigeria, guardians of a victorious tradition, and Morocco, symbol of an ambitious renaissance, will offer an intense, technical, and passionate exhibition of quality football. This final at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat promises an evening of celebration and strong emotions, where every pass, every tackle, every shot could change the destiny of this exceptional encounter.
3 days ago
- Sport
Spain's women battled sexism and indifference. Now the world champions are eyeing European title
BARCELONA, Spain -- If the women's soccer players of Spain have gone from nobodies to title contenders in less than a decade, it hasn't come easy. The national team has had to fight for better coaching, decent travel conditions, and modern training facilities. It paid off with a World Cup title in 2023, the Nations League crown last year, and on Sunday they face England in the European Championship final. 'It has been a constant with the national team that we have had to fight for acceptable work conditions that would allow us to play at our best,' former Spain defender Marta Torrejón told The Associated Press by phone on Friday. Torrejón lived through the lean years, the time when playing for her country felt like, in her words, a 'waste of time.' And she knows from talking with Barcelona teammates who still play for their country how much things have improved. Torrejón retired from international soccer after the 2019 World Cup as Spain's then most-capped player with 90 appearances. The 35-year-old has since helped Barcelona win three Champions League titles and a slew of other trophies. She also played a part in one of the revolts Spain's women have staged to demand more from the men who run the game. After the 2015 World Cup, Torrejón and other players successfully pushed for the removal of coach Ignacio Quereda, who had run the team for nearly three decades, for his poor preparation ahead of the team's first appearance in the competition. Quereda was later accused by former players of verbal abuse, an allegation he denied. 'I enjoyed playing for the national team, but the preparation and attention to the player was minimum. It felt, to put it bluntly, like a waste of time,' Torrejón said. 'The level of practice and the level of physical training both plummeted compared to what we had (at Barcelona). It was like taking a step back. "I am told that isn't the case now, and I am very glad to hear that.' Torrejón said she saw steps in the right direction under former Spain coach Jorge Vilda, who replaced Quereda, but felt there was still more untapped potential in the team when she retired. After Torrejón quit the team, some players announced in 2022 they would no longer play for Vilda unless he ran a more professional operation. He was backed by the federation. Some players returned to play for him, and the team made history by winning the 2023 World Cup. The celebrations were overshadowed by the behavior of then-federation president Luis Rubiales, who kissed a player on the lips without her consent during the awards ceremony in Sydney. Vilda supported Rubiales initially and he was swept away with his boss when the players stood up to force change, from the removal of Rubiales to improving the travel conditions and handling of the team. Torrejón said she had heard from Alexia Putellas and Irene Paredes, stalwarts of Spain and Barcelona, that things are better since Rubiales and Vilda left. New coach Montse Tomé has enhanced the training methods. Spain leads the way at the Euros for goals scored, ball possession, passing accuracy and clean sheets. In Spain's 1-0 semifinal win over Germany, Aitana Bonmatí leaned on the team's analysts, who informed her the opposing goalkeeper tended to leave her near post unprotected. The result was an exquisite winner from a tight angle. Torrejón said that sort of tactical insight from the staff was unthinkable a decade ago. Spain midfielder Patri Guijarro agrees with Torrejón that the sustained investment Barcelona has provided for the past decade in the women's game has boosted the national team. 'Each and every day we work well in our clubs and I think that is reflected in the achievements of the clubs but also in the national team,' Guijarro said at Spain's camp in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Friday. Guijarro also credits the professionalization of Spain's women's league in 2021, which allowed players 'to dedicate ourselves fully to soccer.' Guijarro is one of 11 Barcelona players on Spain's 23-member squad. The Barcelona contingent includes Bonmatí and Putellas, who have split the last four Ballon d'Or awards between them. Former Barcelona official Xavier Vilajoana oversaw the women's team and the club's training academy from 2015-2020. During that time, the club dramatically increased its funding for women's soccer and built a training program for girls. Vilajoana said one critical decision was having the same coaches train the boys' and girls' teams. That way the Barcelona style was instilled in all the kids, and that ball-possession, short-passing and pressure became fundamentals of the women's teams as well. 'Let's not fool ourselves, we spent many years in a very sexist society and that was reflected in women's soccer. So clearly the change in the mentality of society has helped," Vilajoana told the AP. "But I also believe that Barça's style of play has helped us see women players in the same way (as men).' In the background, Spain's strong feminist movement helped get the public behind the players as they made strides for equality and success. 'There were many of us players who gave it our all for the national team but weren't able to get this far," Torrejón said. "The one thing we knew is that we had talent. We just needed more support.' ___ AP sports writer Graham Dunbar contributed from Lausanne, Switzerland.
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Spain's women battled sexism and indifference. Now the world champions are eyeing European title
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — If the women's soccer players of Spain have gone from nobodies to title contenders in less than a decade, it hasn't come easy. The national team has had to fight for better coaching, decent travel conditions, and modern training facilities. It paid off with a World Cup title in 2023, the Nations League crown last year, and on Sunday they face England in the European Championship final. 'It has been a constant with the national team that we have had to fight for acceptable work conditions that would allow us to play at our best,' former Spain defender Marta Torrejón told The Associated Press by phone on Friday. Torrejón lived through the lean years, the time when playing for her country felt like, in her words, a 'waste of time.' And she knows from talking with Barcelona teammates who still play for their country how much things have improved. Torrejón retired from international soccer after the 2019 World Cup as Spain's then most-capped player with 90 appearances. She has since helped Barcelona win three Champions League titles and a slew of other trophies. She also played a part in one of the revolts Spain's women have staged to demand more from the men who run the game. After the 2015 World Cup, Torrejón and other players successfully pushed for the removal of coach Ignacio Quereda, who had run the team for nearly three decades, for his poor preparation ahead of the team's first appearance in the competition. Quereda was later accused by former players of verbal abuse, an allegation he denied. 'I enjoyed playing for the national team, but the preparation and attention to the player was minimum. It felt, to put it bluntly, like a waste of time,' Torrejón said. 'The level of practice and the level of physical training both plummeted compared to what we had (at Barcelona). It was like taking a step back. 'I am told that isn't the case now, and I am very glad to hear that.' Torrejón said she saw steps in the right direction under former Spain coach Jorge Vilda, who replaced Quereda, but felt there was still more untapped potential in the team when she retired. After Torrejón quit the team, some players announced in 2022 they would no longer play for Vilda unless he ran a more professional operation. He was backed by the federation. Some players returned to play for him, and the team made history by winning the 2023 World Cup. The celebrations were overshadowed by the behavior of then-federation president Luis Rubiales, who kissed a player on the lips without her consent during the awards ceremony in Sydney. Vilda backed Rubiales, but he was swept away with his boss when the players stood up to force change, from the removal of Rubiales to improving the travel, preparation and staffing of the team. Torrejón said she had heard from Alexia Putellas and Irene Paredes, stalwarts of Spain and Barcelona, that things are better since Rubiales and Vilda left. New coach Montse Tomé has enhanced the training methods. Spain leads the way at the Euros for goals scored, ball possession, passing accuracy and clean sheets. In Spain's 1-0 semifinal win over Germany, Aitana Bonmatí leaned on the team's analysts, who informed her the opposing goalkeeper tended to leave her near post unprotected. The result was an exquisite winner from a tight angle. Barcelona and other clubs have lifted Spain Spain midfielder Patri Guijarro agrees with Torrejón that the sustained investment Barcelona has provided for the past decade in the women's game has boosted the national team. 'Each and every day we work well in our clubs and I think that is reflected in the achievements of the clubs but also in the national team,' Guijarro said at Spain's camp in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Friday. Guijarro also credits the professionalization of Spain's women's league in 2021, which allowed players 'to dedicate ourselves fully to soccer.' Guijarro is one of 11 Barcelona players on Spain's 23-member squad. The Barcelona contingent includes Bonmatí and Putellas, who have split the last four Ballon d'Or awards between them. Former Barcelona official Xavier Vilajoana oversaw the women's team and the club's training academy from 2015-2020. During that time, the club dramatically increased its funding for women's soccer and built a training program for girls. Vilajoana said one critical decision was having the same coaches train the boys' and girls' teams. That way the Barcelona style was instilled in all the kids, and that ball-possession, short-passing and pressure became fundamentals of the women's teams as well. 'Let's not fool ourselves, we spent many years in a very sexist society and that was reflected in women's soccer. So clearly the change in the mentality of society has helped,' Vilajoana told the AP. 'But I also believe the style of play Barca has helped see women players in the same way (as the men).' 'We had talent' Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. In the background, Spain's strong feminist movement helped get the public behind the players. 'There were many of us players who gave it our all for the national team but weren't able to get this far,' Torrejón said. 'The one thing we knew is that we had talent. We just needed more support.' ___ AP sports writer Graham Dunbar contributed from Lausanne, Switzerland. ___ AP soccer:
