Morocco’s women’s national team opened their 2024 WAFCON campaign with a 2-2 draw against Zambia on Saturday.
After the final whistle, Morocco coach Jorge Vilda took a moment to thank his players, crediting them for standing their ground against what he described as “a solid team.”
He pointed to the squad’s second-half performance as a turning point, noting their ability to raise the tempo and respond under pressure.
“They kept a good rhythm, especially in the second half, in a match played at high intensity,” he said. “The substitutions helped us get back into it and draw level. This team will improve with every match.”
Vilda showed no disappointment in the result. On the contrary, he called the draw a positive outcome. “A draw remains a good result,” he said, “and we’ll aim for a win in the matches to come.”
The coach showed respect for the Zambian side, calling them “a strong team with great players.” He admitted that opening games often carry a different weight but said Morocco showed it could play solid football against tough opposition.
Across the field, Zambia coach Nora Häuptle reflected on the match as a tough battle that left room for improvement. “We had several chances,” she said, “but we should have managed our strong spells better.”
Häuptle gave credit to Morocco’s second-half dominance, noting that their control of the ball helped shift the momentum. “The Moroccan players were very good,” she said. “They controlled possession in the second half, which allowed them to equalize.”
Despite the late comeback, Häuptle expressed satisfaction with her team’s overall showing. “We played against a good team.
They had strong players who took the upper hand late in the game,” she said. “We’ll need to adjust a few things to approach the next matches more calmly.”
