CAF Women's Champions League: SC Casablanca aim to pull off a shock

Morocco will have two representatives at this third edition of the CAF Women's Champions League, scheduled for 5 to 19 November in Korhogo and San Pedro, Ivory Coast. The Kingdom thus becomes the first country to field two teams in the competition. After AS Far, who qualified as holders, SC Casablanca have secured their ticket to the continental tournament. The Moroccan side won the UNAF zone tournament, held in Alexandria, Egypt, from 24 to 30 August. They sealed qualification in style by thrashing Egypt's Wadi Degla (6-1) on the final day of the tournament.

This is a club that has come a long way. Just four years ago, they were playing in the Moroccan third division. Qualifying for the CAF Women's Champions League is therefore a great achievement. "It's a very special moment for us," said Sporting Club president Moad Oukacha to BBC Sport Africa. "From day one, nobody thought that after four years we would be among the eight best clubs in Africa. Every team in Africa dreams of playing in this competition and fights to get there. We should be proud of what we have done."

Drawn in Group A with Athletico Abidjan, JKT Queens (Tanzania) and Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), SC Casablanca want to cause an upset on their debut. To do so, they will be able to count on Chaymaa Mourtaji. The 27-year-old finished as top scorer at the UNAF tournament. Mourtaji's form is no surprise, as she was the best player in the Moroccan league last season and finished as its second top scorer with 21 goals. Their opponents have been warned.