EXCLUSIVE: Morocco’s coach, Vilda, set to name squad list for WAFCON 2024

**As pre-tournament camp ends Friday

By Harry Awurumibe,  Africa’s No.1 Women Football Journalist

With some countries yet tok name their preliminary squads for the pre-tournament camping ahead of the start of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of (WAFCON) on July 5, the host nation Morocco is set to unveil the final squad list as the team’s week-long pre-competition camping ends on Thursday, June 19, 2025.

National team coach Jorge Vilda Rodriguez had a  week ago invited 30 players for a training camp, according to a statement released by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF). The squad includes a mix of seasoned internationals and emerging talents across all positions.

Among the players currently in camp are four goalkeepers Khadija Rmichi, Fatima Zahra Jabraoui, Hind Hassnaoui, and Iness Arouaissa while four defenders Hannan Ait Lhaj, Zeineb Radouani, Nouhaila Benzina, and Yassmine Amrabet, are in the squad too.

Midfielders, Ghizlane Chebbak, Anissa Lahmari, and Sara Kassi are joined by several other high profiles, while the attacking lineup includes Fatima Tagnaout, Btissam Jraidi, and Kenza Chabil, among others.

This preparatory stage also offers Jorge Vilda the opportunity to further evaluate his squad and narrow down his tactical options ahead of the final team selection by weekend or early next week.

Prompt News reports that the training camp, which started on Wednesday, June 11 at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maamoura, near Sale, Rabat, will end on June 19. It is part of host country’s preparations for the upcoming WAFCON, which is set to take place in Morocco from July 5 to 26.

Meanwhile,  having reached the final of the last WAFCON in 2022 and earned a historic qualification for the 2023 World Cup, the Atlas Lionesses are entering this edition with high ambitions.

The home advantage, coupled with growing public support, is expected to play a key role in their performance. The team looks to capitalize on this momentum to establish Morocco as a major force in African women’s football.  The biggest women’s football tournament in Africa will be played across six stadiums in five different cities of Morocco

Already, CAF has selected venues for the company including Larbi Zaouli and Père Jégo Stadiums in Casablanca; Rabat’s Olympic Stadium; El Bachir Stadium in Mohammedia; Stade d’Honneur in Oujda; and the Municipal Stadium in Berkane.

Qualified Countries For WAFCON 2024*

*Group A*

Host nation Morocco,  Zambia, Senegal, and DR Congo.

*Group B*

 Nigeria,Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana.

*Group C*

 Defending champions: South Africa, Ghana, Mali, and Tanzania.