Morocco Slated to Be Leading Power in African Women’s Football

Rabat – South African footballer and Racing Louisville FC forward Thembi Kgatlana expects Morocco to become the most dominant and influential power in women’s football in Africa, sports news outlet ESPN reported.

When asked whether she envisioned Morocco dominating African women’s football at the expense of South Africa, Kgatlana told ESPN: “That’s how I feel, to be honest,” highlighting the country’s modern facilities and efforts to develop women’s sports.

She notably underlined the Atlas Lionesses’ remarkable performance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which secured Morocco its first-ever ticket to the Women’s World Cup.

“There are two things that stand out or are challenging. Number one: Morocco went to the final. They were not in the WAFCON for a very long time and when they come, they go straight to the final,” she said.

The Moroccan national women’s team reached the WAFCON final for the first time in history. However, they lost the title to South Africa after sustaining a 2-1 defeat.

The South African footballer also underlined Moroccan club AS FAR’s performance at the CAF Women’s Champions League, which ended with the Rabat-based club beating South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns and winning the title.

“The first time they got into a Champions League, then they went out. The following year, they went on to win it,” she said.

For Kgatlana, Morocco is in “the right direction of making sure they empower the women’s game in their country” and becoming a “powerhouse whether we like it or not.”

She highlighted the North African countries’ modern and well-equipped football facilities, saying that “it was an eye-opener actually to be in Morocco and to see the technical center they have.”

“I don’t think anyone could have predicted that, but the fact that they have facilities and have resources – it’s the right direction. They are also trying to venture into having a professional league. A lot of countries in Africa don’t have that, including South Africa,” Kgatlana added.

The South African footballer hopes that her country will follow Morocco’s lead and invest more in women’s football.