The historic excellence of the Moroccan women’s football team is commemorated in a new inspirational article entitled “The Morocco’ Women Team Has Already Won,” published by Aida Alami in the New York Times. It puts the first North African and Arab majority country to qualify for the Women’s World Cup in the spotlight.
It highlights goalkeeper Khadija Rmichi’s breakout from social constraints to form a girls’ soccer team as quite possibly the epitome of the squad’s passion to ascend to greatness from its humble beginnings.
In a recent statement, Rmichi, from Khouribga, a mining city in central Morocco, had outlined the difficulties she faced as a female playing street soccer with boys. “It was considered shameful to play with boys,” she remembered. “My older brother would hit me and drag me home, and I would just return to the street to play whenever I had the chance.”
Rmichi sought out girls in Khouribga to form a squad after a local coach inspired her. She rode her bike and went to playgrounds in search of teammates. Despite dabbling in other sports, Rmichi utilized her natural-born talent in public relations–her gift of gab, if you will–to persuade parents and relatives to allow them play soccer.
Morocco, a first-time qualifier for the Women’s World Cup, may not win a game in a group that includes Germany, South Korea, and Colombia. However, its mere qualification for this tournament is a source of inspiration and pride in and of itself.
The team’s triumph in the World Cup qualifying campaign in Morocco sparked pride both domestically and abroad. Reynald Pedros, the French coach, believes that they will not only fill the stadium, but will make the crowd sit on the edge of those very seats. He aims to replicate prior success on the world scene, and calls for modest expectations in emphasizing that success will be assessed with the attainment of realistic, step-by-step objectives.
Sofia Bouftini, a 21-year-old Moroccan sportsperson, encountered opposition from her family when she expressed an interest in soccer. She credited her grandparents with convincing her father, who eventually relented after realizing her talent. Nesryne El Chad, a 20-year-old French defender, reaffirmed her eternal commitment to Morocco.
Moroccan expatriates, some of whom traveled more than 100 miles to attend the World Cup qualifier, were filled with a sense of purpose and camaraderie, and driven by a desire to express and share their love for their country. Gender was meaningless. Kamal Jabeur, 59, applauded the girls’ appearance and cheered for them.
El Chad, the center defender, shared her grandfather’s habit of watching her games from a favorite Moroccan cafe, where he brags about his granddaughter. El Chad intends to inspire similar feelings–if not similar injuries–no matter the outcome.
Morocco’s first World Cup match is against Germany in Melbourne on Monday and will not be an easy task, as they recognize that their families, friends and all Moroccans will be watching closely.