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Rabat – Ghizlane Chebbak led Morocco to a 4-2 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday night at Rabat’s Olympic Stadium, in the second round of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024.
The team captain scored three goals, played a central role in helping Morocco take control of Group A, and earned Woman of the Match award.
This result places Morocco at the top of Group A with four points, tied with Zambia but ahead on goal difference.
It also extends Chebbak’s long-standing influence over the national team, an influence rooted in patience, endurance, and the ability to deliver when it matters most.
Her goals, scored in the 25th, 43rd, and 75th minutes, told the story of a player who has stayed the course through years of building, leading, and carrying hope on her shoulders.
Yasmin Mrabet added the final goal from the penalty spot, wrapping up a match that showed Morocco’s attacking power and its collective growth under coach Jorge Vilda.
But Wednesday night belonged to Chebbak.
She has worn Morocco’s colors since 2007, debuting in a friendly against France that ended in a 6-0 defeat.
Chebbak has lived through the team’s struggles and slow progress, all while pushing forward with a quiet authority. Her leadership was evident in 2022 when she guided Morocco to the WAFCON final, winning top scorer and best player awards.
In November 2023, Chebbak was nominated for the 2023 African Player of the Year and 2023 Interclub Player of the Year by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Now, in front of a home crowd, she continues to carry the team with the same composure that has defined her career.
‘She played like a boss’
At 34, she remains Morocco’s most capped player and a point of reference on and off the field. Her ability to connect experience with performance has helped redefine what is possible for Moroccan women in sport.
Football runs in her blood. Her father, Larbi Chebbak, played for the Moroccan men’s national team in the 1970s. But Ghizlane shaped her own legacy. She has moved the conversation around women’s football from the margins to the center.
In his post-match comments, Jorge Vilda, coach of the Moroccan women’s national team, said: “We faced a tough and fast opponent, but the players managed to achieve the goal we set. There are still things to fix, and we’ll work on correcting the mistakes to be fully ready for the match against Senegal.”
Of Chebbak, the coach said: “When Ghizlane is in that frame of mind, it is impossible to stop her.”
He added, “She transcended the team, led the way. She was everywhere: recovering, creating, finishing. Tonight, she played like a boss.”
The Atlas Lionesses began their WAFCON campaign with a 2-2 draw against Zambia. Now, with their latest win, they are aiming higher.
Morocco’s final group match against Senegal on July 12 now carries the weight of a potential early qualification. For many in the squad, it will be another test.
