Rabat – Morocco head coach Jorge Vilda has announced his starting lineup for the Atlas Lionesses’ opening game of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations against Kenya on Sunday evening.
Experienced goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi starts between the posts, while Hanane Ait El Haj wears the captain’s armband in the absence of regular skipper Ghizlane Chebbak from the starting XI.
The team also includes defenders Zineb Redouani and Nouhaila Benzina, two established members of the side that reached the knockout stage of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the final of the last two Women’s AFCON editions.
Elodie Nahla Nakkach, Maryame Atiq and Yasmin-Katie M’Rabet are also named in the lineup, alongside forwards Ibtissam Jraidi, Sanaa Mssoudy, Sakina Ouzraoui and highly rated youngster Kautar Azraf.
Morocco’s confirmed starting XI is: Khadija Er-Rmichi; Zineb Redouani, Nouhaila Benzina, Elodie Nahla Nakkach, Ibtissam Jraidi, Maryame Atiq, Hanane Ait El Haj, Sanaa Mssoudy, Sakina Ouzraoui, Yasmin-Katie M’Rabet and Kautar Azraf. The spellings correspond with Morocco’s official 26-player tournament squad.
Vilda combines experience and youth
Jraidi will provide Morocco’s main attacking presence after establishing herself as one of the country’s leading goalscorers, while Ouzraoui and Mssoudy offer pace and creativity in the wide areas.
Azraf’s inclusion is one of the most notable selections. CAF described the Barcelona prospect as one of Morocco’s brightest young talents after she received her first senior national-team call-up earlier in 2026.
Morocco face Kenya at 9 p.m. local time at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat. The match is the second fixture of the tournament’s opening day following Algeria’s meeting with Senegal.
The Atlas Lionesses are seeking their first continental title after losing the 2022 final to South Africa and the 2024 final to Nigeria. Morocco headline Group A alongside Kenya, Algeria and Senegal, with the top two teams advancing to the quarter-finals.
