Rabat – Morocco’s women’s futsal team opened their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign with a resounding 8-1 victory over Namibia on Tuesday evening at the Moulay Abdellah Complex in Rabat.
The team looked assured from the start and showed no hesitation in their first group-stage match on home soil.
The first half saw the Atlas Lionesses set the tone, controlling the game with calm precision and sharp offensive play. They walked into halftime with a 5-0 lead, thanks to goals from Soumia Hadi, Doha El Madani, Siham Tadlaoui Maaloum, Malek Zaid Alkilani, and Amal El Ouafi.
Several missed chances kept the score from climbing even higher.
Rather than easing off in the second half, Morocco stepped back onto the court with renewed energy. Drissia Korrych and Jasmine Demraoui each added a goal to keep the pressure on. Namibia’s Fiola Vliete managed to slip one past the Moroccan defense after a brief lapse in concentration, but the gap was far too wide to close.
The match drew strong support from the stands, with Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) President Fouzi Lekjaa and national futsal coach Hicham Dguig in attendance.
Morocco will now prepare to face Cameroon in their second group match, scheduled for Thursday, April 24 at 8 p.m. in Rabat.
The stakes are high in this competition. The top two teams will earn a place at the first-ever FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup, which will take place in the Philippines from November 21 to December 7, 2025.
