Morocco appoint Eric Blahic as women’s national team coach

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has appointed Frenchman Eric Blahic as the new head coach of Morocco’s women’s national team, replacing Jorge Vilda.

Blahic will oversee his first training camp with the Atlas Lionesses when Morocco face Uzbekistan in two friendlies on 9 and 12 October. The opening match will be played at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium, with the second game taking place at the Al Madina Stadium, both in Rabat.

The 61-year-old, who was born in Suresnes, has worked with En Avant Guingamp, Sochaux, Paris Saint-Germain and Bordeaux as an assistant in the men’s game. He was also part of the France women’s national team staff under Corinne Diacre and Herve Renard between 2020 and 2024.

This is the first time Blahic has been given responsibility for a senior national side.

His main objective will be to lead Morocco to their first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title. Vilda was unable to achieve that during his three-year tenure, despite the resources made available to him.

Vilda was appointed in November 2023 after winning the Women’s World Cup with Spain. His position came under increasing pressure after Morocco lost to Algeria in the third-place play-off at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on home soil in mid-August. The match finished 1-1 before Algeria won 3-2 on penalties.

The best result of Vilda’s time in charge was reaching the final of the previous edition, where Morocco were beaten 3-2 by Nigeria in July 2025.

Blahic has responded to the change in leadership by naming five players for their first senior call-ups. All five had previously represented Morocco at youth level.

The newcomers are Ikram Neddar of Frosinone, Melek Hader of Utrecht, Assala Gharrou of FUS Rabat, Lina Jamai of Porto and Salma Temmar of FUS Rabat. Jamai was named among the African Young Players of the Year in 2024.

Eight players have also returned to the squad: Zineb El Arari, Djennah Cherif, Inara Bouker, Fatima El Ghazouani, Samya Masnaoui, Imane Touriss, Yasmine Zouhir and Laftah Nadia.

Blahic has retained most of Morocco’s established players, including goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi and forwards Ibtissam Jraidi and Ghizlane Chebbak. Hanane Ait El Haj, Nouhaila Benzina, Maryame Atiq, Yasmin Mrabet, Sanaa Mssoudy and Sakina Ouzraoui are also included in the squad for the October fixtures.