AS FAR Ladies head into the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup as the undisputed standard-bearers of Moroccan and African women’s football, carrying with them a legacy built on dominance, consistency, and an unrelenting desire to push the boundaries of the game.
Widely regarded as the most successful side in Moroccan women’s football history, AS FAR have continually written new chapters not only for the domestic game but for African women’s football as a whole.
Their presence on the global stage is the result of sustained excellence, underlined by their triumph in the CAF Women’s Champions League, where they once again proved themselves as the continent’s premier force.
Their journey at the Women’s Champions Cup has already delivered a statement moment. AS FAR announced their arrival with a landmark victory over Chinese champions Wuhan Jiangda WFC, a result that reinforced Africa’s growing competitiveness in elite women’s club football and set the tone for a campaign that has already entered historic territory.
The build-up to Wednesday’s showdown has been further elevated by major accolades that recognise the club’s outstanding year.
AS FAR were named Club of the Year, while midfield talisman Sanaa Msouddy claimed the Interclub Player of the Year award.
Rising star Doha El Madani also received recognition, being crowned Young Player of the Year, reflecting the club’s successful blend of experience and youthful promise.
Attention now turns to what is arguably the biggest match ever played by an African women’s club, as AS FAR prepare to face Arsenal, the reigning UEFA women’s champions.
The scale of the challenge is immense, with the English giants bringing European pedigree, depth, and tournament experience.
Yet AS FAR approach the contest with belief and ambition, viewing the fixture not merely as a test, but as an opportunity to measure themselves against the very best and further elevate African women’s football on the world stage.
AS FAR’s squad is built for moments of this magnitude. The team features three foreign players – Paulmiche Mahouna and Flore Ngoma from Congo, and Beninese forward Yolanda Gnammi – who add quality and balance to a side anchored by experienced Moroccan internationals.
Key figures include the influential Fatima Tagnouat, reliable goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi, and inspirational captain Nahal Badri, whose leadership will be crucial in such a high-stakes encounter.
Guiding the team is head coach Mohamed Amine Alioua, one of the most successful figures in African women’s football.
In charge since AS FAR’s maiden CAF Women’s Champions League triumph in 2022, Alioua has overseen the club’s rise from continental champions to global contenders.
His approach has combined discipline with adaptability, preparing his side meticulously for the unique demands of intercontinental competition.
Alioua is fully aware of the gap often perceived between African football and its European and Asian counterparts, but insists AS FAR have their own identity and solutions.
“As you know, the African continent is not comparable to the Asian or European continents, and it is always important to keep this distinction in mind,” he said.
“However, we have our own tools and strategies, which we have meticulously prepared. The creativity of our team alone will not be enough to make the difference; we must focus on developing our tactical performance.”
Beyond the result, AS FAR’s appearance at this stage already marks a defining moment for African women’s club football.
But within the camp, the focus remains firmly on competing, challenging, and making history.
On Wednesday, AS FAR will step onto the pitch not just as Morocco’s champions, but as Africa’s representatives in a landmark encounter that could redefine perceptions of the women’s game on the continent.
