Rabat – During a friendly encounter between Kenitra Football Club and Kawkab Marrakech on August 12, Moroccan footballer Nouhaila Benzina received a special honor from the Kenitra club.
In light of the Moroccan international’s outstanding performance for the women’s national team in the Women’s World Cup, the management of the Kenitra team , which played in the amateur national league, wanted to pay her tribute.
The club also commended the athlete for helping the national team advance to the round of 16 during their debut appearance at the competition.
Benzina made history in international women’s football as the first player to ever compete in a World Cup while wearing a hijab.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised the Moroccan footballer for the feat, also commending her achievement as evidence of the sport’s fundamental principles of diversity and inclusivity.
In an instagram post, Infantino wrote, “Yesterday, Nouhaila Benzina became the first player to wear the hijab at a FIFA Women’s World Cup match. Football is inclusive, tolerant, universal, and diverse.”
In addition to Benzina’s momentous achievement, Morocco’s national team made history by qualifying for the 2023 Women’s World Cup’s knockout stage.
Read also: FIFA’s President Congratulates Morocco on ‘Memorable’ Women’s World Cup Debut
