Morocco’s head coach Jorge Vilda praised his team’s response and tactical discipline following a 4-2 win over DR Congo in Group A of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Wednesday in Rabat.
Speaking after the match at the Olympic Stadium, Vilda underlined the importance of the victory, which keeps Morocco firmly in contention for a place in the knockout stages.
“The most important thing is that we managed to score and the team was also good in defence,” he said. “We’re progressing and the players are gaining confidence with each game.”
Vilda acknowledged the transformation of the Congolese side, who had been beaten 4-0 by Senegal in their opening fixture. “This was a much improved DR Congo side compared to their previous match,” he said.
“After conceding the first goal, we made some tactical adjustments to speed up our transitions and reach the final third more effectively. I believe the result is justified given the number of chances we created.”
With two days to prepare for their final group fixture against Senegal, Vilda stressed the importance of maintaining focus. “We’re going for the win to top the group. Senegal are a strong opponent, but we’ll prepare in the best possible way.”
Star of the match Ghizlane Chebbak, who scored a hat-trick, was quick to share the credit with her teammates. “We knew before the tournament began that these matches would be tough,” the Moroccan captain said. “But our strength lies in our mental resilience and team spirit. Today was another example of that.”
Chebbak opened her account in the 25th minute before adding goals in the 43rd and 75th minutes, turning the tide after an early strike from DR Congo’s Merveille Kanjinga in the sixth minute had put Morocco behind.
Yasmin M’Rabet added a fourth for Morocco from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute, capping off a strong team performance. DR Congo’s Flavine Mawete had briefly given the visitors hope with a 70th-minute goal that reduced the deficit to 3-2.
“My first objective is always to help the group,” Chebbak added. “Whether I score or someone else does doesn’t matter. What counts is that we all contribute to the team’s success.
The important thing today was securing the three points, and we showed that we have the character to fight back in difficult moments.”
DR Congo head coach Hervé Happy Tchankou expressed disappointment after a match he believed his side could have won. “We started very well, but individual mistakes were costly,” he said.
“It’s frustrating because the game was within our reach. The scoreline doesn’t reflect the overall balance of the match.”
Looking ahead, Tchankou emphasised the need to regroup quickly. “We now have to focus on the match against Zambia. It’s a must-win for us. The players need to bounce back, and we must show more composure in the decisive moments.”
Elsewhere in Group A, Zambia secured a thrilling 3-2 win over Senegal in the day’s other match at the El Bachir Stadium, adding further drama to a tightly contested group.
Morocco’s final group-stage fixture against Senegal will determine their path in the competition, with the host nation eager to continue their campaign in front of a home crowd.
