Despite their efforts, the Atlas Lionesses sustained a 2-0 defeat against Zambia last night in Rabat, sealing their fate with a 2-3 aggregate loss. The early 2-1 lead secured by Morocco in the first leg of the qualifiers was not enough to stave off Zambia’s determined onslaught.
“We also couldn’t believe it from the sidelines. We had very clear chances. In the end, well, football has decided that we won’t be at the Olympics this time,” Vilda said during a press conference following the game.
Despite the setback, the Spanish coach expressed his commitment to continuous preparation and development. “All we can do is keep working, build a team with a strong foundation, work well in all positions, and also look at everything that lies ahead,” the coach added.
Vilda highlighted the dedication and effort invested in nurturing the talents of the national team, saying; “we’ll prepare ourselves, continue working very hard daily because I’m also extremely proud of the work the coaching staff has done.”
While the Atlas Lionesses have missed their chance to book a ticket for the Olympic Games that will take place this summer, the U-20 team has an upcoming endeavor at the U-20 World Cup.
“This summer, there’s a U-20 World Cup with the Moroccan national team…the thing is that football never stops,” the coach stressed.
In addition, Vilda expressed excitement and motivation for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
“Our next objective is the Africa Cup of Nations. It’s something that motivates me a lot. I’ve seen images of the last one played, and it’s beautiful,” he concluded.
© Morocco World News.
