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Rabat – Morocco’s football star Rosella Ayane has been making headlines for her strong and outstanding performances during this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon).
The Atlass Lionesses reached not only the Wafcon final, but also qualified for the 2023 World Cup.
Speaking exclusively with Morocco World News, Rosella spoke about her expectations for Saturday’s match, her love for Moroccan food, and admiration for Moroccan football fans and supporters.
Born and raised in England, the 26-year old forward first represented her birth country at the under-17 and 19 teams. But, the forward did not miss the opportunity to join Morocco’s national football team when she was finally called up.
“When the opportunity came, I think it came at a point in my life that I did not want to turn it down, it was a great opportunity for me to play in a national football team in a senior stage,” Rosella told MWN.
Grateful for the opportunity, the talented forward explained that she has strong connections with her father’s side of the family in Morocco, and that she has enjoyed the year playing for Morocco’s senior team.
“It was a pleasure, hopefully more good times will come,” she said.
Speaking about her passion for football, Rosella Ayane emphasized that she has played football from an early age, as far as she can remember.
But discovering her talent took her a bit of time.
“ I did not realize I had a talent in football until I was 14 or 15. I never thought I would become a professional player, but 20 years later, here I am. it is a bit of a crazy journey,” the football player said.
A squad with a great quality
Having both faith and confidence in what the national squad is capable of, Rosella emphasized that the team has “great quality and squad depth needed” to play against, and defeat, their rivals.
Satisfied with the improvement the team has gone through since last year, the forward said that being in the Wafcon final shows the team’s quality and what they can do in big competitions, such as Wafcon and the World Cup.
“The fact that we are in the final in this competition shows how much we have as a team, quality wise. I think next year preparing for the world cup will be massive,” she said, emphasizing that she and the team have enough time to build stronger relations.
Rosella acknowledges she is facing a few challenges language-wise.
Still attempting to pick up more Moroccan Arabic (Darija) and French, she however emphasized that language did not prevent her from building good bonds with her teammates.
“With language it is also difficult. The girls have been fantastic with me as a person and as a player. Coherence and understanding of each other is good, considering the circumstances of the language that is one thing that I cannot fault. It is obviously difficult and there are times that are difficult but we have only been together a year,” she argued.
The football player emphasized that one year is still a “very short time,” stressing that she and the rest of the squad still have time on their hands to further boost their relations.
Admiration for fans
On Monday, July 18, over 45,000 Moroccans flocked to the Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat to attend the Atlas Lionesses’ Wafcon semi-final match against Nigeria.
Morocco’s squad earned the respect and support from Moroccans inside and outside the North African country.
Whoever was unable to attend the match, certainly watched it either on TV or cherished the momentous occasion on social networks, as the Lionesses made history by qualifying for the first time to both the final of the continental competition and for the World Cup.
“The stadium was full, and it was just incredible for the players. Every player in this squad including me is grateful for it,” Rosella said.
She said the tremendous support of 45,000 fans cheering on the quad in the stadium provides a “massive boost. I am thankful for the support and I hope it continues.”
Ready and exited
On Saturday, the Moroccan football team will be facing South Africa in Rabat to conclude the competition.
Lifting the trophy at home will be a dream come true for Rosella, who is excited to take part in the final.
She said being in the final is a well-deserved achievement, recalling the squad performances and hard work throughout the competition.
“The tournament in Morocco is absolutely amazing and will be a dream coming true to lift the trophy in Morocco,” she said.
Competitive
Besides football, Rosella spoke about her love for Moroccan tagines, particularly as her grandmother makes some delicious food.
She said it is hard to choose between types of Moroccan food, but she shared her passion for her grandmother’s delicious harira.
In addition to food, Rosella is also doing well in chess, “ that’s a major hobby and I love doing it.”
She also likes to play tennis and other sports such as bowling. “I am quite a competitive person, I like to play other sports, including tennis and bowling.”
