European Leagues

World Cup: How investment is boosting Moroccan football

Morocco’s passion for football was showcased at the men’s World Cup last year, when the Atlas Lions defied all expectations and reached the semifinals in Qatar. That energy is now flowing into the women’s game.

The Moroccan diaspora reaches far across the globe, including a sizeable community numbering close to 10,000 in Australia.

It meant there was no shortage of red-clad fans in the stands for Morocco’s opener against Germany on Monday. And despite the crushing 6-0 defeat, captain Ghizlane Chebbak still wants to give them something to cheer about.

‘Diversity and richness’
“We don’t want to go to the World Cup just to participate,” she told DW. “We want to be the team that no one bets on but that ends up surprising everyone.”

Moroccan culture combines influences from their Amazigh roots, Arab migration, European colonization and African identity.

For many fans like Nadia Bouchti, who has been living in Sydney the past 10 years, it’s a proud moment to see an Arab nation compete for the first time at a women’s World Cup.

“I’m so excited. Their participation can break down stereotypes as well as highlight the diversity and richness of Arab and Muslim cultures,” she said.

“It’s showcasing the talent and determination of women athletes in the region on the global stage.”

The World Cup will be just the latest chapter in a string of achievements in recent years.

More than 45,000 fans packed out the Moulay Abdellah Stadium for the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final in Morocco’s capital Rabat.

The hosts weren’t supposed to be there, but pulled off a shock win against 11-time winners Nigeria in the semifinals. They lost the final 2-1 against South Africa, but it represented a massive shift for Chebbak, who won player of the tournament.

“Things have changed since the WAFCON. We managed to change society’s perception of women’s football at that tournament,” she told DW.

“The fans’ love is really encouraging and gives us motivation to continue our work. And the Moroccan FA is making huge efforts to provide the necessary conditions. It may take time, but I’m convinced women’s football will shine in the coming years.”

While the Moroccan Football Association has invested in the women’s game since 2009, it’s been a rapid transformation since president Fouzi Lekjaa kickstarted a four-year plan in 2020 with support from the country’s monarchy.

They professionalized the top two divisions, provided set minimum wages for players and the staff of all clubs, and bolstered grassroots funding.

Hiring Reynald Pedros was another masterstroke. The French coach won two women’s Champions League titles with powerhouses Olympique Lyon and quickly reshaped the landscape.

Pedros introduced training standards and tactics and player confidence rose.

“These achievements are the result of continuous work over the years. We had big ambitions,” Chebbak said. “Now we’re concentrating on the World Cup.”

Morocco will rely on foreign-born talent with Moroccan roots at this tournament with Rosella Ayane (England), Yasmin Mrabet (Spain) and Elodie Nakkach (France) playing vital roles.

But the professionalization of the domestic leagues should be the bedrock for future generations.

Shifting opinions on women’s sport
Chabbak was fortunate that her family were always supportive of her dream to play professional football, particularly her father, Larbi, who represented the men’s national team.

“I grew up in a football-loving family who supported and advised me. My father always provided me with guidance,” she said. “Thankfully, I can say that I made him proud and I want to make him even prouder.”

Others weren’t so fortunate, facing opposition from their community and even their own family members.

“We lost many talents due to societal views and families’ rejection,” Chebbak explained. “I knew many talented players who had the potential to go far. But families were afraid of allowing their daughters to play football and prevented them from doing so.”

Germany are Morocco’s first opponents
“I’m so proud to witness these achievements and see Morocco contribute to the growth and recognition of women’s football,” said Bouchti, who traveled to Melbourne to attend the opener against Germany. “We just want to thank them for raising our flag and making us very proud.”

Group H isn’t set to get much easier with games against South Korea and Colombia to come.

And the confidence running through this team should help them achieve their lofty goals.

“It was incredible to qualify but now our focus is on the World Cup,” Chebbak said. “We know it will be challenging but we will concentrate on our style of play. We want to be competitive and reach the second round.”

Given Morocco’s meteoric rise in football in recent years, their ambitions appear within reach.

Source: dw.com

Premier League

Guardiola Hints At Shock Premier League Return For Rodri

Rodri could be back in action before the end of the Premier League season, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed.

The Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder, who has initially ruled out for the remainder of the campaign after suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage in September, returned to individual training this week.

While Rodri himself had previously spoken optimistically of playing again this term, Guardiola had been far more cautious, suggesting it was not worth the risk even if possible.

Now it seems, however, that Rodri’s progress has exceeded expectations and he could feature again before the end of the domestic season and play a part at the Club World Cup in the summer.

Guardiola said: “The fans must know they are not the only ones who are excited.

“But one step at a time, we don’t have to make stupid decisions to come back weeks earlier and (suffer) steps back. It’s good but still he’s not close to coming back, I would say.

“But he’s touching the ball and he was in the locker room making touches with the players. He feels confident, he feels more happy.

“I could not expect before (him to return) but maybe before the end of the season – not even the (Club) World Cup – in the Premier League, maybe, it’s going to happen.”

On the downside for City, defender Nathan Ake looks set for another lay-off after being forced off at half-time in Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Plymouth in the FA Cup fifth round.

The Dutchman would join a casualty list that also includes fellow centre-backs John Stones and Manuel Akanji, both of whom are set to miss most of the rest of the season.

Guardiola said: “We’ll do the test but he struggles sometimes with the foot, with the bone, probably.

“It’s been like this the whole season, unfortunately, for the central defenders.

“Hopefully the young ones can sustain it and help us until the end.”

City moved into the FA Cup quarter-finals as they came from behind to see off Championship side Plymouth with a brace from teenager Nico O’Reilly and a further strike from Kevin De Bruyne.

The competition provides an opportunity for City to salvage something from a frustrating campaign in which they have fallen out of Premier League contention early and already exited the Champions League.

Guardiola, however, is not happy with the characteristics of the balls being used in the cup, feeling they behave differently from those used in other elite events.

He said: “The ball is not proper. I’m sorry. For many years it’s happened in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

“I know it’s a business and they come to agreements, but the ball is not (good). You know how many shots went over the post? Not just Erling’s (Haaland) – look at other games.

“I’ve said it for many years. It’s the truth. The Champions League ball is exceptional, the Premier League is exceptional, this one is not good.”

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Mbappe Hat-Trick Dismantles Man City As Real Madrid Hit Last 16

Real Madrid have booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League after a convincing 3-0 over Manchester City in the second leg of their play-off round tie at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the final aggregate score being 6-2.

A stunning comeback in Manchester last week ensured that Real Madrid only needed to avoid defeat in the second leg in order to be confirmed in the next round. However, Carlo Ancelotti’s side were never going to settle for this, and they extended their aggregate lead inside the opening four minutes in the Spanish capital. A long ball over the top from Raul Asencio went into the path of Kylian Mbappe, who lobbed over the onrushing Ederson and into the back of the net.

Just beyond the half hour mark, Mbappe got his and Real Madrid’s second of the evening. A wonderful team move ended with Rodrygo Goes playing in the French attacker, and he showed great feet to take the ball away from a couple of Man City defenders before blasting in from close range.

That goal put the tie beyond any doubt, but Real Madrid and Mbappe did not stop there. The 26-year-old would finish off for his second hat-trick of the season on 61 minutes after he curled the ball into the far corner to complete a sensational evening for him and his teammates.

However, it was not a perfect match for Ancelotti’s side as they conceded in the final minute after former Barcelona midfielder Nico Gonzalez scored from close range after Omar Marmoush’s free-kick came back off the crossbar.

The result means that Real Madrid are into the next round, and they will face either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 stage of the Champions League. The draw for that round is set to take place later this week.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

UCL: PSG Whitewash Brest To Set Up Clash With Liverpool or Barcelona

UCL: PSG Whitewash Brest To Stroll Into Last 16

Paris St-Germain roared into the last 16 of the Champions League with a thumping victory over Brest.

Luis Enrique’s side will now face Liverpool or Barcelona with the draw due to take place on Friday, 21 February at 11:00 GMT, in Nyon Switzerland.

Already leading 3-0 from the first leg of their knockout play-off, the hosts again exhibited their superiority over a fellow French side they have now defeated four times this season – scoring 18 times in the process.

Bradley Barcola extended their advantage with a neat near-post effort and his fellow winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia tapped in PSG’s second of the evening before the break.

Portugal international Joao Neves also hit the crossbar for the hosts, before his compatriot and midfield partner Vitinha curled a low shot into the right corner from 18 yards just before the hour mark.

From there PSG moved through the gears.

Goncalo Ramos teed up fellow substitute Desire Doue for their fourth, the impressive Nuno Mendes slid in Achraf Hakimi’s teasing ball for a fifth, Ramos’ deft finish brought a sixth and teenager Senny Mayulu rounded off the scoring with four minutes left.

It ensured a miserable night in the French capital for Brest, who only threatened sporadically when Mathias Pereira Lage’s placed effort was cleared off the line by PSG captain Marquinhos and Pierre Lees-Melou hit the post with a curling effort.

BBC