In an exciting match at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium, the Moroccan women’s under-20 national team suffered a 3-1 defeat against Ivory Coast. However, the Atlas Lionesses displayed tremendous determination and fighting spirit throughout the game, keeping hopes alive for World Cup qualification.
The sole goal for Morocco came from the outstanding player Hajar Belkebir, providing the team with a glimmer of hope ahead of the return match. Captain Fatima Zahra Naïni also made her mark with a strong presence on the right wing, delivering precise shots and maintaining consistent offensive movements while encouraging her teammates on the field.
The Moroccan right-back played in a style reminiscent of Achraf Hakimi, leveraging her speed and intelligent positioning to create genuine scoring opportunities, thus boosting the team’s morale despite the unfavorable result.
Carlos Ibáñez Sicara, the head coach of the Moroccan team, reassured the players that the defeat would not diminish their resolve, emphasizing that the full focus is on the upcoming return match to secure qualification.
Hope remains alive, as a victory in the return match by two clear goals would guarantee advancement to the third round of the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in Poland.
