Jorge Vilda: Morocco’s U20 World Cup Triumph is a Great Source of Pride and Motivation for the Atlas Lionesses

“I would like to congratulate the Moroccan U20 team on their world title. What they have accomplished is truly impressive. We are very proud of them, and it gives us enormous motivation,” said the Spanish coach in a statement to the press on the sidelines of a training session ahead of the Lionesses’ friendly match against Scotland on Friday at Père Jégo Stadium in Casablanca.

The national women’s team will play a second friendly against Haiti next Tuesday at the Mohammed V Complex in Casablanca. These two matches are part of their preparations for upcoming competitions, particularly the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), which will be hosted in Morocco.

Speaking about these matches, Jorge Vilda noted that his team would be facing “high-level opponents” to test themselves ahead of the next CAN and to continue progressing in preparation for the continental tournament.

Regarding the training sessions, he explained that most of the work focuses on “building on our strengths and minimizing our weaknesses.”

Reflecting on the last Africa Cup of Nations (Morocco 2024), where the Atlas Lionesses finished as runners-up, he stated: “We conducted a very thorough analysis of what happened during that CAN, where we came very close to victory. From now on, we will focus more on the details, keep improving as a team, and continue to develop physically, as there is still room for progress.”

For her part, team captain Ghizlane Chebbak expressed her pride in the remarkable progress of Moroccan football, marked by a series of unprecedented achievements, the latest being the U20 team’s world title. She said this triumph “inspires and motivates” the players to keep improving and deliver strong performances in upcoming competitions.

Speaking about the friendlies against Scotland and Haiti, Chebbak said preparations for the two games were going well, emphasizing that “these matches against tough opponents will help us assess our level ahead of the next CAN.”

“We must make the most of these games to keep building momentum as we prepare for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations,” she added.

After “a wonderful CAN” at home, her teammate Anissa Lahmari said, “We are now looking ahead to the next Africa Cup of Nations, which will also take place in Morocco.”

“We’re starting off on solid ground to prepare for CAN 2026,” she added, noting that the friendlies against Scotland and Haiti, both “strong teams,” will allow the national side to measure themselves before this important continental event.

For this training camp, head coach Jorge Vilda Rodriguez has called up 31 players.

Editorial team/le7tv