Morocco wrapped up their preparations for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in emphatic fashion, dispatching Tanzania 4-0 in a friendly match on Saturday at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.
Set to face Senegal in Group A of the tournament, the Atlas Lionesses showcased their attacking strength and defensive discipline in a dominant performance that underlined their intent ahead of the continental showpiece.
Jorge Vilda’s side opened the scoring in the 28th minute through a confidently taken penalty by forward Ibtissam Jraïdi.
As Morocco continued to control possession and press high up the pitch, they doubled their advantage just before the break when captain Ghizlane Chebbak slotted home with a composed finish in the 45th minute.
Tanzania offered little resistance in the second half as Morocco raised the tempo further.
Imène El Ghazouani extended the lead in the 67th minute, capitalising on a defensive lapse to calmly find the net.
Eight minutes later, Najat Badri capped the scoring, delivering a clinical strike in the 75th minute to seal a comprehensive victory.
The result capped a strong pre-tournament run for Morocco, who had previously claimed wins over Cape Verde and Malawi.
Saturday’s win not only boosted confidence but also gave coach Vilda another opportunity to test his tactical schemes and refine his lineup ahead of their opening match.
“This final match was important for us to gain rhythm and make adjustments before the start of the competition,” said Vilda following the game. “I’m satisfied with the performance and the attitude of the players.”
Morocco will now turn their focus to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which begins on July 5.
Drawn into a competitive Group A alongside Senegal, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the host nation will aim to improve on their runner-up finish in 2022 and push for their first-ever title on home soil.
The convincing result against Tanzania serves as a clear statement of intent.
With a squad blending youth and experience, the Atlas Lionesses appear well-equipped to make a deep run in the tournament and will undoubtedly be one of the teams to watch when the action begins.
