WAFCON 2026: Morocco coach Jorge Vilda shoulders responsibility after semifinal defeat to Cameroon

Morocco coach Jorge Vilda has taken full responsibility for the Atlas Lionesses’ semi-final defeat to Cameroon at the 2026 Women’s African Cup of Nations tournament.

The North African powerhouse succumbed to a 3-1 defeat to Cameroon on penalties after a pulsating goalless draw in regulation time.

Speaking at the post-match press conference in Rabat, the Spanish coach expressed his disappointment with the result but praised his players for their fighting spirit and determination throughout the encounter.

Morocco created opportunities and enjoyed periods of control during the semi-final, but they were unable to find the decisive finish needed to break through Cameroon’s defence.

Vilda acknowledged that the team’s inability to make the most of their chances ultimately proved costly.

“We were unable to convert our chances into goals, and I take full responsibility for this result,” Vilda said.

The coach admitted that he was saddened by the defeat but insisted that the players must quickly recover from the disappointment, with another important fixture awaiting them.

“We will overcome this defeat and continue working with the players to prepare well for the third-place match against Algeria,” he added.

Vilda believes the immediate priority is to help the players regain their confidence and composure following the setback.

“The most important thing is to support the players to help them cope with this result and regain their composure,” he explained.

The Spanish tactician also highlighted Cameroon’s physical strength, particularly after the break, as one of the factors that made it difficult for Morocco to maintain their momentum.

According to Vilda, the Cameroonian side grew stronger physically in the second half, while Morocco’s substitutions failed to produce the desired impact.

“The Cameroonian team was physically strong, especially during the second half, and the substitutions we made did not provide the boost we were hoping for to change the course of the match,” he said.

Despite the disappointment of missing out on a place in the final, Vilda remains confident about the future of the Moroccan women’s national team.

The coach believes the Atlas Lionesses have enough quality and talent within their squad to continue competing at the highest level of African women’s football.

He stressed that the team must now shift its focus towards the third-place play-off, with victory against Algeria becoming the new immediate objective.

“The new objective is to win the third-place match,” Vilda stated, while expressing his belief in the potential of a squad that possesses “talented players capable of making a difference.”

Morocco will now face familiar North African rivals Algeria in the third-place match, giving the Atlas Lionesses an opportunity to end their campaign on a positive note in front of their home supporters.

The match is scheduled to take place next Saturday at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, with kick-off set for 6:00 PM.

For Vilda and his players, the encounter represents an opportunity to respond to the semi-final disappointment, regain their confidence and finish the tournament with a victory.

With the coach taking responsibility for the defeat and urging his players to remain focused, Morocco will be hoping to channel their disappointment into a strong performance against Algeria and secure a podium finish.