CAF Women's Champions League: how AS FAR reached the summit of African football

AS FAR are quick learners, very quick. On Sunday evening, Morocco's most decorated club claimed their first Women's Champions League title by beating the defending champions, South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns. It was an emphatic and unexpected 4-0 win, but one that confirms the rapid progress of women's football in Morocco, a sport that enjoys significant backing from the federal authorities.

For Mohammed Amine Alioua, coach of the Militaires, "AS FAR's triumph is a landmark moment for football in the country". The AS FAR coach was over the moon after the final win. He praised his side's performance, as they land their first continental title after finishing 3rd in the first edition of the competition.

"I am pleased that AS FAR managed to keep the African Women's Champions League trophy in Morocco", he said at the post-match press conference.

In the first edition, the Militaires took bronze. But the potential they showed in Egypt made it clear they had the tools to go all the way. AS FAR are banking on the experience of a squad made up of Moroccan internationals. They also form the backbone of the Atlas Lionesses side that reached the 2022 AFCON final.

Goalkeeper Khadija Rmichi started at the last AFCON, as did right-back Zineb Redouani and Fatima Tagnaout. Captain Ghizlaine Chebbak, who was injured, was unable to shine in the CAF Women's Champions League.

Ibtissam Jraidi in for Sanae Mssoudy

The squad remains young. And in the last transfer window, the club showed good judgement in strengthening the defence by signing Blessing Shine Agbomadzi from Hasaacas Ladies of Ghana. That area had a few weaknesses, which were ironed out during the competition. The result: AS FAR conceded just one goal in the entire tournament, against Zambia's Green Buffaloes.

In attack, although Sanae Mssoudy made an impression in the first edition of the CAF Women's Champions League, this time coach Amine Aliouna, who succeeded Abdallah Haidamou, chose to start Ibtissam Jraidi in her place, several times the Moroccan league's top scorer. The decision paid off. The Morocco international finished as the tournament's top scorer, including a memorable hat-trick in the final.

"Reaching the final was already an achievement in itself, but we felt we were very close to the goal and we did everything to get there", said a delighted Amine Aliouna. She also made a point of noting that "Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa were playing with fewer players, but we took the lead when both teams were eleven against eleven".

For the heroine of the night, "The feeling of winning is indescribable. It is a very pleasant feeling to win the player of the match award, and at the same time to score a hat-trick and win the African title".

"It is a historic achievement. I dedicate it to all branches of the Royal Armed Forces and to the fans who supported us throughout the tournament", Jraidi confided

An era of dominance?

With this win, AS FAR send a clear message to their rivals. The club remain the most stable at domestic level. As with Morocco's men's clubs, continental dominance is possible with the Moroccan strategy of developing women's football.

AS FAR strengthen their squad every year and are also investing in youth. Their players are also far from suffering the poor practices that can exist at other clubs (unpaid wages, no bonuses, transport problems...). And the team's best players still have several years left in them.

Fatima Tagnaout, 23, stood out with three goals and as many assists. Ghizlaine Chhiri, 28, also impressed (3 assists).

While in the past the squad was made up solely of Moroccans, it has now been bolstered by a player from elsewhere on the continent, Nigerian Blessing Shine Agbomadzi. Recruiters will be keeping a close eye on countries ahead in women's football, such as Nigeria, Ghana and Zambia, to build on a team used to collecting trophies.

Mohamed HADJI