Moroccan players have expressed pride in the Atlas Lionesses performance in the 2023 Women’s World Cup despite their exit from the tournament after a 4-0 loss to France in the round of 16.
The Atlas Lionesses concluded their journey with heads held high and hearts full of pride, having been able to qualify from Group H.
After the game ended, the players shared their thoughts and reflections on their World Cup run, expressing their pride in their accomplishments and optimism for the future of women’s football in Morocco.
With tears in her eyes and disappointment from today’s defeat, Moroccan player Nahla Elodie Nakkach reflected on the team’s run from the beginning. “If we look back at the entire journey, we are immensely proud of ourselves,” she said.
Nakkach acknowledged the strides that the Moroccan team had taken, motivating her and her teammates to strive for more.
In the eyes of Nouhaila Benzina, the loss was unexpected but not disheartening. “We did our best, we fought hard,” she affirmed.
The team’s commitment to giving their all was evident in every match they played, Benzina, who became the first player to wear a hijab during the Women’s World Cup, added.
Despite the outcome, Benzina stressed that this defeat would not define the team, as she looked ahead to future tournaments and greater successes.
Meanwhile, the captain of the team Ghizlane Chebbak echoed sentiments of pride and honor. “I hope we honored women’s football in Morocco and in the Arab world,” she said.
Her words captured the essence of the Atlas Lionesses’ journey, which was marked by resilience and a commitment to uplifting the sport. Chebbak’s gratitude extended to all who supported the team, particularly the Moroccan fans and King Mohammed VI, whose encouragement fueled their drive to succeed.
The inaugural World Cup appearance for the Moroccan women’s football team was indeed memorable. Their ambition to make it more memorable, though not fully realized, is a testament to their dedication to their sport.
“This is football … Win and loss,” the team’s captain noted, stressing that the Atlas Lionesses have had to embrace the essence of the game, where victories and setbacks are both integral components of the journey.
Through their performance on the global stage, the Atlas Lionesses hope to inspire and encourage young female athletes to be unbowed and unapologetic in their pursuit of a career in sports, eventually advancing the future of women’s football in Morocco.
As Nakkach said, “We are very proud of what we have achieved. But yes, this is just the beginning for women’s football in Morocco.”
“We also hope that mindsets will open up and that women will be free to access football or any other sport,” she concluded.
