“I want to thank His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, the Moroccan government, and the Moroccan people for their hospitality and for the Kingdom’s ongoing support in promoting football throughout Africa,” said Motsepe upon his arrival on Saturday at Rabat-Salé airport, ahead of the opening match of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), taking place from July 5 to 26 in Morocco.
“It’s always something very special for me to be back home. Morocco and its people hold a special place in my heart, as well as in the hearts of all 54 CAF member associations,” he added.
“We are excited about the opening of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations this Saturday. We expect an exhilarating match between Morocco and Zambia,” Motsepe continued.
The CAF president highlighted the steady rise in the quality of women’s football across Africa, pointing to the strong performances of African national teams at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand as proof that “women’s football on the continent is truly world-class.”
“Football brings people together, regardless of race, ethnicity, language, or religion. We are grateful to Morocco, a land that unites Africans,” he concluded.
The Atlas Lionesses will face Zambia this Saturday at 9:00 p.m. at the Rabat Olympic Stadium in the tournament opener, before playing the Democratic Republic of Congo on July 9 at 8:00 p.m. In their third and final group match on July 12, also at 8:00 p.m., Morocco will take on Senegal.
Group B includes Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana, while Group C features South Africa, Ghana, Mali, and Tanzania.
Editorial team/le7tv