Electric atmosphere in Rabat: as soon as Algeria is announced, the entire auditorium smiles. The draw for the African Women's Cup of Nations, carried out this Thursday, has a highly anticipated clash between neighbors and rivals at the opening of the tournament: Algeria – Morocco.
The duel promises to be intense, especially as Senegal and Kenya join this same group, thus offering the Atlas Lionesses a particularly stimulating introduction. However, this configuration does not disturb the Moroccan coach in any way.
Jorge Vilda, coach of the Moroccan women's team, emphasizes: We have a clear philosophy. We know we can progress, and we work for that. I have the best players with a lot of talent, and we have everything we need. Now you just have to work hard. It's talent... and a little bit of luck. "
After two consecutive finals lost at home, the Moroccans now aim for a first continental coronation.
As for Nigeria, ten times winner and defending champion, the group is made up of Malawi, Egypt and especially Zambia, the latter having been swept away 5-0 by the Super Falcons in the quarter-final of the previous edition.
Justin Madugu, coach of the Nigeria women's team, warns: This time, we know it won't be easy. We learned lessons from the last match. They're going to come for revenge, and we're not going to rest either, because we want to show that we were better. That's why we won last time. "
The other groups were formed as follows: Ivory Coast, South Africa, Burkina Faso and Tanzania in group B; Ghana, Cameroon, Mali and Cape Verde in Pool D. In total, sixteen teams will take part in this CAN, a record number in the history of the competition.
Women's competitions continue on the African continent, the next edition of the CAN taking place less than nine months after the previous one. Still in Morocco, the meetings will take place in Rabat, Casablanca and Fez.
