Morocco women's national football team

The Morocco women's national football team (Arabic: منتخب المغرب لكرة القدم للسيدات) represents Morocco in international women's football and is managed by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. The team played its first international match in 1998, as part of the third Women's Africa Cup of Nations.

Morocco
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)لبؤات أطلس (The Atlas Lionesses )
AssociationRoyal Moroccan Football Federation
Head coachJorge Vilda
CaptainGhizlane Chebbak
Most capsGhizlane Chebbak (73)
Top scorerGhizlane Chebbak (23)
Home stadiumStade Moulay Hassan
FIFA codeMAR
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 59 Steady (16 August 2024)[1]
Highest52 (July – August 2003)
Lowest83 (July 2019)
First international
 South Africa 1–1 Morocco 
(Pretoria, South Africa; 5 July 1998)
Biggest win
 Morocco 8–0 Lebanon 
(Alexandria, Egypt; 23 April 2006)
Biggest defeat
 Nigeria 8–0 Morocco 
(Kaduna, Nigeria; 17 October 1998)
World Cup
Appearances1 (first in 2023)
Best resultRound of 16 (2023)
Women's Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances4 (first in 1998)
Best resultRunners-up (2022)

They have participated in the FIFA Women's World Cup once, in 2023. They made history in the same tournament,[2] qualifying to the knock-out stages after placing second in the group stages before they fell short in the Round of 16 to France.

The traditional rivals of Morocco are mainly Spain, Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt.[3]

History

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On 26 April 2006, Morocco made their first ever final in the 2006 Arab Women's Championship, defeating Egypt 4–2 in the semi-final. They lost the final 1–0 against Algeria.[4]

2020s

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On 22 February 2020, Morocco lionesses managed to win the 2020 UNAF Women's Cup after defeating Algeria 2–0 to top the final standings.[5][6]

After hiatus and lack of achievement, the Women's AFCON was expanded to 12 teams, starting from 2020, but due to COVID-19 pandemic, the first edition was held in Morocco 2022 instead.[7] Using this home advantage, Morocco restarted its women's football structure, rebuilt its women's team that has long been neglected. With greater interest, Morocco was able to create history by reaching the semi-finals in their home soil.[8][9] With this achievement, Morocco made a history as the first Arab country to qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup,[10][11] debuting in 2023.[12][13] Morocco went on to make another historic chapter as the first North African and Arab country to participate in the final of a continental tournament by beating African powerhouse and three-times defending champions Nigeria on penalties.[14][15] However, Morocco could not finish its dream in the final after losing to an experienced South African side, whose two goals crushed the Moroccan dream to win the title.[16][17]

In their first ever FIFA Women's World Cup, Morocco qualified to the knockout stages after placing second in their group, losing their first match 6–0 to Germany[18][19] and winning both their second and third match 1–0 respectively against South Korea and Colombia.[20][21][22] This made them the lowest ranked nation to qualify for the knock-out stages.[23][24] In the game against South Korea, Moroccan player Nouhaila Benzina became the first player to play in a World Cup match wearing a hijab.[25] Morocco ended their journey in the Round of 16, after losing 4–0 to France.[26]

On 12 October 2023, Spanish coach Jorge Vilda was announced as the new head coach of the Moroccan women's team.[27][28] On 14 November 2023, Morocco was nominated for the 2023 Best African Women’s National Team of the Year by CAF.[29]

Nicknames

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The Morocco women's national football team has been known or nicknamed as the "Atlas Lionesses".[30][31]

Home stadium

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Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium

Morocco's home matches were held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, managed by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. The stadium served as the home ground for AS FAR and frequently hosted matches for the men's team. Situated in Rabat, Morocco, this iconic venue has been the stage for numerous significant tournaments. Among these, the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations stands out as a significant event, where Morocco showcased their prowess by playing all their matches at this stadium and even reached the final. Though they lost to South Africa in the final, the stadium will forever be remembered for witnessing Morocco's historic qualification to the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time.

Kit suppliers

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Morocco's home colours are most red shirts and green shorts and socks, away colours are usually all white or all green.

Kit provider Period
  Puma 1998–2002
  Nike 2003–2006
  Puma 2007–2011
  Adidas 2012–2019
  Puma 2019–[32]

Results and fixtures

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The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Legend

  Win   Draw   Lose   Fixture

2023

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22 September International Friendly Morocco   0–2   Zambia Casablanca
19:00 UTC+1 Report
  • B. Banda   50' (pen.), 69'
Stadium: Père Jégo Stadium
26 September International Friendly Morocco   2–6   Zambia Rabat
19:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Moulay Hassan Stadium
26 October 2024 Olympic qualifying Namibia   0–2   Morocco Marrakech
20:00 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Stade de Marrakech
31 October 2024 Olympic qualifying Morocco   2–0
(4–0 agg.)
  Namibia Rabat
Stadium: Moulay Hassan Stadium
Note: Morocco won 4–0 on aggregate.
1 December International Friendly Morocco   1–1   Uganda Casablanca
19:00 UTC+1
Stadium: Père Jégo Stadium
Referee: Rokiatou Fofana (Mali)
5 December International Friendly Morocco   3–0   Uganda Rabat
19:00 UTC+1 Stadium: Moulay Hassan Stadium

2024

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23 February 2024 (2024-02-23) 2024 Olympic qualifying Tunisia   1–2   Morocco Soliman, Tunisia
Stadium: Stade municipal de Soliman
28 February 2024 (2024-02-28) 2024 Olympic qualifying Morocco   4–1
(6–2 agg.)
  Tunisia Rabat
Stadium: Moulay Hassan Stadium
Note: Morocco won 6–2 on aggregate.
5 April 2024 (2024-04-05) 2024 Olympic qualifying Zambia   1–2   Morocco Ndola, Zambia
17:00 UTC+2
Stadium: Levy Mwanawasa Stadium
9 April 2024 (2024-04-09) 2024 Olympic qualifying Morocco   0–2 (a.e.t.)
(2–3 agg.)
  Zambia Rabat
20:00 UTC±0
Stadium: Moulay Hassan Stadium
Referee: Salima Mukansanga (Rwanda)
Note: Zambia won 3–2 on aggregate.
30 May 2024 (2024-05-30) Friendly Morocco   2–1   DR Congo Berkane, Morocco
19:00 UTC+1
Report
Report (FRMF)
Stadium: Berkane Municipal Stadium
3 June 2024 (2024-06-03) Friendly Morocco   3–2   DR Congo Berkane, Morocco
19:00 UTC+1
Stadium: Berkane Municipal Stadium
Referee: Emna Ajbouni (Tunisia)

sources: "Morocco Results and Fixtures". Soccerway.com. "Morocco – Soccer – Team Profile". globalsportsarchive.

Coaching staff

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Position Name
Head coach   Jorge Vilda
Assistant coach Vacant
Goalkeeping coach Vacant
Fitness coach   Khadija Addal

Manager history

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Players

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Current squad

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The following players were called up for two friendly match against   DR Congo in June 2024.[36]

Caps and goals accurate up to and including (5 December 2023).

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Khadija Er-Rmichi (1989-09-16) 16 September 1989 (age 35) 60 0   ASFAR
12 1GK Zineb El Arari (1999-11-28) 28 November 1999 (age 24) 0 0   RS Berkane
22 1GK Inès Arouaissa (2001-06-30) 30 June 2001 (age 23) 1 0   Saint-Malo
1GK Fatima Bambara (2002-05-11) 11 May 2002 (age 22)   Sporting Club Casablanca

2 2DF Zineb Redouani (2000-06-12) 12 June 2000 (age 24) 42 2   ASFAR
3 2DF Nouhaïla Benzina (1998-05-11) 11 May 1998 (age 26) 21 0   ASFAR
4 2DF Siham Boukhami (1992-02-01) 1 February 1992 (age 32) 9 1   ASFAR
13 2DF Sabah Seghir (2000-09-27) 27 September 2000 (age 24) 22 1   Basel
14 2DF Aziza Rabbah (1986-07-04) 4 July 1986 (age 38)   ASFAR
17 2DF Hanane Aït El Haj (1994-11-02) 2 November 1994 (age 29) 55 1   Valencia
21 2DF Yasmin Mrabet (1999-08-08) 8 August 1999 (age 25) 26 3   Valencia

5 3MF Sarah Kassi (2003-09-09) 9 September 2003 (age 21) 7 0   Fleury
6 3MF Élodie Nakkach (1995-01-20) 20 January 1995 (age 29) 47 3   Servette
10 3MF Najat Badri (1988-05-19) 19 May 1988 (age 36) 33 5   ASFAR
16 3MF Anissa Lahmari (1997-02-17) 17 February 1997 (age 27) 6 1   Levante
23 3MF Inès Kbida (2003-05-10) 10 May 2003 (age 21)   Marseille
3MF Fatima Tagnaout (1999-01-20) 20 January 1999 (age 25) 43 4   Sevilla

7 4FW Ghizlane Chebbak (captain) (1991-02-19) 19 February 1991 (age 33) 71 23   Levante Badalona
8 4FW Rosella Ayane (1996-03-16) 16 March 1996 (age 28) 31 10   Chicago Red Stars
9 4FW Ibtissam Jraïdi (1992-12-09) 9 December 1992 (age 31) 58 13   Al Ahli
11 4FW Sofia Bouftini (2002-01-25) 25 January 2002 (age 22) 8 0   RS Berkane
15 4FW Jade Nassi (2003-04-26) 26 April 2003 (age 21)   Reims
18 4FW Kenza Chapelle (2001-07-01) 1 July 2001 (age 23) 3 0   Strasbourg [fr]
19 4FW Sakina Ouzraoui (2001-08-29) 29 August 2001 (age 23) 18 1   UD Tenerife
20 4FW Imane Saoud (2002-06-06) 6 June 2002 (age 22) 26 5   Servette
4FW Safae Banouk (2000-01-31) 31 January 2000 (age 24)   ASFAR

Recent call-ups

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The following players have been called up to the squad in the past 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up


GK Assia Zouhair (1991-04-30) 30 April 1991 (age 33) 10 0   CAK v.   Uganda, 5 December 2023

DF Maryame Atiq (1998-01-24) 24 January 1998 (age 26) 3 0   SE AEM v.   Zambia, 9 April 2024
DF Meryem Hajri (1994-09-14) 14 September 1994 (age 30) 12 6   Sporting Club Casablanca v.   Uganda, 5 December 2023
DF Nesryne El Chad INJ (2003-03-13) 13 March 2003 (age 21) 23 3   Lille v.   Uganda, 5 December 2023
DF Samia Fikri (1999-08-02) 2 August 1999 (age 25) 3 0   Rodez v.   Uganda, 5 December 2023
DF Ghizlane Chhiri (1994-09-11) 11 September 1994 (age 30) 7 0   ASFAR v.   Namibia, 31 October 2023

MF Salma Bouguerch (1998-11-04) 4 November 1998 (age 25)   Wydad Athletic Club v.   Zambia, 9 April 2024
MF Inés Faddi (2001-04-03) 3 April 2001 (age 23) 1 0   SE AEM v.   Zambia, 9 April 2024
MF Rania Boutiebi (2004-03-04) 4 March 2004 (age 20)   Club YLA v.   Zambia, 9 April 2024
MF Nour Imane Addi (1997-06-10) 10 June 1997 (age 27) Unattached v.   Tunisia, 28 February 2024
MF Djennah Cherif (2006-01-10) 10 January 2006 (age 18)   Thonon Evian [fr] v.   Tunisia, 28 February 2024
MF Ibtissam Bouharat (1990-01-02) 2 January 1990 (age 34) 2 1 Retired v.   Uganda, 5 December 2023
MF Sana Daoudi (1998-03-12) 12 March 1998 (age 26)   Guingamp v.   Uganda, 5 December 2023
MF Samya Hassani (2000-01-03) 3 January 2000 (age 24) 7 3   Telstar v.   Namibia, 31 October 2023
MF Salma Amani (1989-11-28) 28 November 1989 (age 34) 35 7   Al-Ittihad v.   Zambia, 26 September 2023

FW Yasmine Zouhir (2005-07-16) 16 July 2005 (age 19)   Betis v.   Zambia, 9 April 2024
FW Sanaâ Mssoudy (1999-12-30) 30 December 1999 (age 24) 31 8   ASFAR v.   Namibia, 31 October 2023

Previous squads

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FIFA Women's World Cup
Africa Women Cup of Nations
UNAF Women's Tournament
Malta International Women's Football Tournament

Player records

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*Active players in bold, statistics correct as of (22 February 2024).

Top goalscorers

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# Player Year(s) Caps Goals
1 Ghizlane Chebbak 2007– 76 23
2 Ibtissam Jraïdi 2009– 64 20
3 Rosella Ayane 2021– 31 10
4 Sanaâ Mssoudy 2017– 34 8
5 Salma Amani 2012– 35 7
6 Imane Saoud 2021– 29 5
7 Fatima Tagnaout 2018– 46 6

Most capped players

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Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Ghizlane Chebbak 76 23 2007–

Competitive record

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FIFA Women's World Cup

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FIFA Women's World Cup record
Year Result GP W D* L GF GA GD
  1991 did not enter
  1995
  1999 did not qualify
  2003
  2007
  2011
  2015
  2019
   2023 Round of 16 4 2 0 2 2 10 –8
  2027 To be determined
Total 1/10 4 2 0 2 2 10 –8

Olympic Games

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Summer Olympics record
Appearances: 0 / 6
Year Result GP W D L GF GA GD
  1996 Did not enter
  2000
  2004
  2008 Did not qualify
  2012
  2016 Did not enter
  2020 Did not qualify
  2024
  2028 To be determined
Total - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Women's Africa Cup of Nations

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Women's Africa Cup of Nations record
Appearances: 4 / 14
Year Round GP W D* L GS GA GD
  1991 did not enter
  1995
  1998 Group stage 3 1 1 1 4 9 −5
  2000 Group stage 3 0 0 3 1 13 −12
  2002 did not qualify
  2004 did not enter
  2006 did not qualify
  2008
  2010
  2012
  2014
  2016
  2018
  2020 Cancelled
  2022 Runners-up 6 4 1 1 9 5 +4
  2024 Qualified as hosts
Total Runners-up 12 5 2 5 14 27 −13
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

All-Africa Games

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All-Africa Games record
Appearances: 1
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
  2003 Did not enter
  2007
  2011
  2015
  2019 Bronze Medal 3rd 5 4 0 1 12 7
  2023 Group Stage 7th 2 0 0 2 0 6
All Total Bronze Medal 2/6 7 4 0 3 12 13

Arab Women's Cup

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Morocco lost to Algeria in the championship game of the first Arab Women's Cup in 2006 after defeating host Egypt 4–2 in the semi-finals.[37]

Arab Women's Cup record
Appearances: 1
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA GD
  2006 Runners-up 2nd 4 2 1 1 12 3 +9
  2021 did not enter
Total Runners-up 1/1 4 2 1 1 12 3 +9

UNAF Women's Tournament

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UNAF Women's Tournament record
Appearances: 1
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA GD
  2009 did not participate
  2020 Champion 1st 4 4 0 0 11 2 +9
Total Champion 1/2 4 4 0 0 11 2 +9

Honours

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Continental

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  Runners-up: (1) 2022

Regional

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  Champions: (1) 2020
  Runners-up: (1) 2006
  Runners-up: (1) 2021

International

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  Champions: (1) 2022

Awards

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  Second place: 2022, 2023

See also

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Other football codes

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References

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Notes

Citations

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 16 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  2. ^ Nowakowski, Wojciech (8 August 2023). "Morocco, Ireland, Portugal: All 8 Women's World Cup debutants and how far they made it". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  3. ^ "Football row brings bitter Algeria-Morocco rivalry to forefront". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Arab Women's Football Cup - Egypt 2006". www.goalzz.com. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  5. ^ Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "Morocco wins UNAF Women's Cup". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  6. ^ "Tanzania emerged runners-up as Morocco win Unaf Women's Cup | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  7. ^ "Wafcon returns with World Cup places at stake". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  8. ^ Kasraoui, Safaa. "Wafcon: Morocco Beats Botswana, Qualifies for Women World Cup for 1st Time". Morocco World News.
  9. ^ Mothoagae, Keba (13 July 2022). "Morocco knocks Botswana out to reach 2022 WAFCON semifinals, 2023 World Cup". SportsBrief – Sport news. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  10. ^ "Morocco is the first Arab team to qualify for the Women's World Cup – News Unrolled". News Unrolled. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  11. ^ "StackPath". dailynewsegypt.com. 7 December 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  12. ^ "Morocco's women's national football team qualifies for the World Cup for the first time". Atalayar. 14 July 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  13. ^ "Morocco, Zambia qualify for Women's World Cup with WAFCON wins". ESPN.com. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  14. ^ Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "Morocco stun holders Nigeria to reach TotalEnergies WAFCON final". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  15. ^ "Morocco set up Wafcon final against South Africa". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  16. ^ "South Africa beat Morocco to win first Wafcon title". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  17. ^ Kasraoui, Safaa. "Morocco Loses Wafcon Final To South Africa". Morocco World News.
  18. ^ "Germany beat Morocco's Atlas Lionesses 6-0 in national selection's first WC game". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 24 July 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  19. ^ Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "Atlas Lionesses shellshocked after six-goal mauling by Germany". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  20. ^ "Morocco stun higher-ranked Korea in historic upset". CAF. 30 July 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  21. ^ "Morocco make history, reach Women's World Cup knockout stage". CAF. 8 March 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  22. ^ "Historic: Morocco's Women football team qualify for Round of 16 after beating Colombia 1-0". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  23. ^ Bonesteel, Matt (3 August 2023). "Morocco is latest surprise in a World Cup that has been full of them". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  24. ^ "Women's World Cup: How Jamaica, South Africa and Morocco defied the odds to reach last 16". Sky Sports. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  25. ^ "Benzina becomes first to wear hijab at World Cup". BBC Sport. 30 July 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  26. ^ Smyth, Rob (8 August 2023). "France 4-0 Morocco: Women's World Cup last 16 – as it happened". the Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  27. ^ Media, P. A. (12 October 2023). "Spain's World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda appointed Morocco manager". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  28. ^ "Jorge Vilda appointed as manager of Morocco women's team after being sacked as Spain women's coach". Sky Sports. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  29. ^ "Morocco sweeps nominations in CAF awards for women's categories". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  30. ^ Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "What to know about Morocco's Atlas Lionesses". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  31. ^ "Morocco's proud Lionesses fall short of Africa Cup of Nations glory". Arab News. 24 July 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  32. ^ Staff Writer (14 August 2019). "FRMF Signs Contract with Puma after Adidas Deal Expiration". Morocco world news. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  33. ^ Hatim, Yahia (11 February 2020). "Morocco's Football Federation Hires Foreign Coaches, Local Assistants". Morocco World News.
  34. ^ Toutate, Issam (27 November 2020). "Reynald Pedros to Coach Moroccan Women's National Team". Morocco World News.
  35. ^ Ntungwabona, Ahmed (12 October 2023). "Jorge Vilda Takes the Helm: New Coach for Women's National Football Team". Morocco World News. p. 1. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  36. ^ Morocco 🇲🇦 squad list to play RD Congo 🇨🇩 in two friendlies May 30 June 3
  37. ^ "Championnat arabe dames: Le Maroc perd en finale face à l'Algérie". Le Matin (in French). 30 April 2006. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  38. ^ "Africa – Women's Championship". RSSSF. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
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