WAFCON 2022: Morocco vs Burkina Faso preview
Morocco are seeking to win their first ever Africa Cup of Nations tournament on home soil in only their third appearance in Africa’s premiere competition. Meanwhile, debutants Burkina Faso come into the tournament with no to lose and everything to play for in an open group A. Kick off 21:30 BST.
Transformed Atlas Lionesses
Four years on since the last AFCON in Ghana, Morocco are hosting the competition for the first time, but have high ambitions. The north Africans have invested heavily in their women’s football and have begun to see the results on the pitch. The Atlas Lionesses come into the tournament as outside favourites, despite having not qualified for the competition since 2000.
Over the last few years Morocco has developed two national professional leagues as well as regional leagues for various age groups. This has developed the local league, making it a destination for footballers in Africa including Burkinabe midfielder Limata Nikiema.
This strength in domestic football has driven the success on the international stage. 14 of the players called up for the tournament play for AS FAR Rabat who came third in the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League.
The Atlas Lionesses have also brought in Reynald Pedros as head coach. Undoubtedly the most decorated coach coming into the tournament. The two-time UEFA Champions League winner with Lyon has brought excellent results so far since his arrival.
They are undefeated in 12 games against African opposition and can call upon some real talent going forward. AS FAR teammates Sanaa Mssoudy and Ghizlane Chebbak will provide creativity. They are joined by Spurs forward Rosella Ayane who made her debut for the Atlas Lionesses last year, but has already notched up five goals in seven appearances.
Mysterious Burkinabe side
Burkina Faso boasts a squad almost entirely based locally and are one of the biggest unknowns coming into the tournament. But The Stallions have looked excellent in qualifying for the tournament. They won every match, dispatching first Benin 5-2 on aggregate and then followed that up by thrashing Guinea-Bissau 7-0 on aggregate.
But their preparations have not all been smooth. Before flying to Morocco, the players had a stand off with the federation centring on their treatment in their home as well as over payments for the tournament.
Despite that, the Burkinabes will bring a threat and could spoil the Moroccan party. They are a side full of goals, particularly with star Juliette Nana who scored 22 goals in 25 league games for her club side Neman Grodno in Belarus.
What they said
When asked about playing Burkina Faso ahead of the tournament on the On The Whistle Podcast, Ayane was giving full respect to her opposition:
“When you come across smaller nations, they’re always hard to beat. And I know that when we play in cups, we play against teams from lower divisions, they’re always hard to beat. They always have fight, they always have desire, they always fight for each other, they’re always hard to break down. I know myself, I wont be underestimating anyone in that tournament whether they’re seen as the best team in Africa or whether they’re new to the tournament and no one knows what to expect. I’m pretty sure everyone in the camp will take that message the same. We’ll be going into every game like it’s win or die.”
Because of the expansion to 12 teams, the group stage of the WAFCON is more forgiving than in previous years, with the two best third placed teams qualifying for the quarter-finals. But the Moroccans will no doubt be feeling the pressure to get off to a flying start tonight.
