Morocco women’s national team ready for historic WAFCON final, says Coach Jorge Vilda

Atlas Lionesses Aim for History in WAFCON Final Showdown

Morocco's Women Prepare to Face Nigeria in Historic Championship Clash

Rabat – Moroccan head coach Jorge Vilda exuded confidence ahead of Saturday’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final against Nigeria, asserting his players are prepared to etch their names in football history.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference Friday, the Spanish tactician lauded the team's development throughout the tournament, emphasizing their ability to perform strongly against formidable opponents.

“Our players have shown incredible development match after match,” Vilda stated. “They’ve performed at a high level against strong opponents, and I believe in their capacity to rise to the challenge in the final.”

While acknowledging Nigeria’s experience and prowess, Vilda stressed that the outcome will be decided on the pitch over 90 minutes. "Everything is possible," he asserted. He praised his squad, known as the Atlas Lionesses, for their unwavering team spirit and cohesive play, emphasizing they will enter the match without fear and with complete faith in themselves.

Vilda revealed that the team's preparations since the semifinal have focused on physical recovery, particularly after the extra-time encounter. However, he underscored the crucial role of mental fortitude, stating: "Our team has a strong mindset. We’re going to fight with our hearts and bodies to win this final."

The coach confirmed that the squad is in good health overall, except for forward Fatima Tagnaout, whose availability will be determined after the final training session. He described the team's atmosphere as a "family," crediting their strong bond for boosting morale during seven weeks of intensive preparation.

Reflecting on his journey, Vilda expressed his eagerness to coach the Moroccan women’s team, recognizing it as a serious project to advance women's football in the country.

“This experience has pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to grow, both professionally and personally,” he said, thanking Moroccan fans for their unwavering passion.

Vilda concluded by reiterating that reaching the final was always part of the team's vision. "We set out to play six matches in this tournament, and we’ve achieved that goal," he said. “Now, the team spirit that brought us this far will carry us through to the final whistle.”

Morocco Faces Nigeria for WAFCON Glory on Saturday

The Atlas Lionesses will face off against Nigeria in the WAFCON final on Saturday at 9 p.m. local time at Rabat’s Olympic Stadium.