## 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.  


## Atlas Lionesses Aim for History in WAFCON Final Showdown

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

Rabat – Moroccan head c

Morocco women’s national team ready for historic WAFCON fina

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

## Hakimi Soars to Eighth Best Player in World Rankings

**PSG Star Shines Bright in Global Poll Conducted by Marca**

Moroccan international and Paris Saint-Germain right-back Achraf Hakimi has been ranked the eighth-best footballer in the world for the 2024–2025 season, according to a global poll conducted by Spain’s Marca newspaper. The ranking, revealed this week, was based on votes from a jury of 133 former players, journalists, and analysts from across the globe.

Hakimi's high placement reflects his standout season with PSG, during which he scored 11 goals and provided 16 assists across all competitions.  He is joined in the top ten by two of his PSG teammates: French winger Ousmane Dembélé came in second, and Portuguese midfielder Vitinha secured third place. Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah, who plays for Liverpool, landed just ahead of Hakimi in seventh place.

Barcelona’s young talent Lamine Yamal took the top honor, being named the best player in the world for the 2024–2025 season. However, the result has sparked debate among fans and pundits, with many questioning the poll’s outcome.

Hakimi's continued recognition on the international stage adds to his growing legacy as one of Africa’s premier football talents and a cornerstone of Morocco’s national team. 


## Hakimi Soars to Eighth Best Player in World Rankings

**PSG Star Shines Bright in Global Poll Conducted by Marca**

Moroccan international and Paris Saint-Ge

#Football

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

Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi ranked 8th best player in the world by Marca