Following an easy group stage outing in the Women’s Champions League, hosts ASFAR will face a stern test when they take on Bayelsa Queens in a mouth-watering semifinal tie at Stade Moulay Hassan in Rabat on Wednesday.
The Moroccans, who finished as Group A table toppers with nine points to seal their last-four spot in the eight-team event, will look to avoid a back-to-back semi-final heartbreak this time, having lost to Ghana’s Hasaacas Ladies last year in Egypt.
Despite going up against resurgent Nigerians, coach Mohamed Amine Alioua is already looking beyond Domo Okara’s side.
“Everything is going well in the preparations for this match against Nigeria. It is true that there, the degree of concentration and vigilance is high,” Alioua said during the press conference.
“Right after the draw, we had a chat between us and expected Bayelsa to be a great contender. We saw their matches, and we saw how the team played at the group stage.
“We will manage and we will do our best to reach the final. We have the cream of players in Morocco and Africa. It will be a good football match.”
In the same vein, striker Ibtissam Jraïdi, who played a part in helping Morocco ruin Nigeria’s 10th WAFCON title dream, is aware that “it won’t be easy” but assures they are ready to claim a final spot.
“We are preparing for this match physically and mentally. It won’t be an easy match. We are following our coach’s instructions and we will do everything to qualify for the final,” the 29-year-old, who has contributed two of her side’s five goals, said.
Source: Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF)