Ros on Morocco’s first World Cup: “We’re not going just to take part”

With the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup now upon us, there are few nations more excited to get going than Morocco, who will be competing in the tournament for the first time this year.

Our very own Moroccan, Rosella Ayane, who recently put pen to paper on a new contract with the Club, played a key role in her nation’s qualification for the World Cup as her decisive penalty sent the Atlas Lionesses through to the WAFCON final in 2022.

“I’m really excited,” she told us. “This is our first World Cup, so I think that in itself is an achievement, but I’ve said in every interview that I’m not going and I know the girls aren’t going just to be there to take part. 

“We want to prove that we’re one of the best teams in Africa and it’s going to be a really exciting opportunity. We’ve got a really hard first game and a really hard group, but I’m sure we can do ourselves justice and hopefully put in the performances that I know we’re capable of.”

With seven Lilywhites called up for their countries, Rosella’s Morocco schedule is as follows:

• Germany v Morocco | Tuesday 24 July | Melbourne Rectangular Stadium | 9.30am (UK)
• Korea Republic v Morocco | Sunday 30 July | Hindmarsh Stadium | 5.30am (UK)
• Morocco v Colombia | Thursday 3 August | Perth Rectangular Stadium | 11am (UK)

The World Cup always represents an opportunity for countries to show everyone just how much football means to them.

“One of the main reasons a lot of people play football is to make more of an impact than just on the pitch,” Rosella added. “What we’ve done in AFCON and what we’re hoping to achieve in the next couple of years speaks for women in Africa, Morocco and little young girls that want to play football.”