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CAF
2 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
Back-to-back WAFCON Golden Boots for Morocco's Ghizlane Chebbak
Ghizlane Chebbak has once again etched her name in African football history by securing the Golden Boot at the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024—three years after her first. The Moroccan captain, who found the net five times during the tournament, emerged as the competition's top scorer for a second consecutive edition, capping off a brilliant campaign on home turf with the prestigious PUMA Golden Boot award. Now 34, Chebbak continues to lead by example, following in the footsteps of her father, Larbi Chebbak, a 1976 Africa Cup of Nations winner with Morocco. But where her father left a mark in the men's game, Ghizlane is rewriting history in the women's edition—establishing herself as an enduring icon of Moroccan football. Commanding from the outset Chebbak wasted no time asserting her dominance at the tournament. In Morocco's group stage opener against Zambia, she delivered a commanding performance before truly stealing the spotlight in the clash against the Democratic Republic of Congo, where she netted a clinical hat-trick. Her masterful combination of positioning, technique and composure put the opposition on the back foot. It was a demonstration of experience fused with instinct—showing why she remains such a critical part of Jorge Vilda's setup. Even in matches where she didn't get on the scoresheet, such as against Mali and Ghana, Chebbak's presence was palpable. Whether through her link-up play, movement, or vocal leadership, she left her imprint on every encounter. Making her mark in the final On the grandest stage of all—the final against Nigeria in Rabat—Chebbak delivered again. Just 13 minutes in, she picked up a ball on the edge of the area, controlled it effortlessly, and unleashed a shot that flew past Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie into the bottom corner. It was a moment that electrified the crowd at the Stade Olympique and gave Morocco the early lead in what would become a tense five-goal thriller. While Morocco ultimately fell short, losing 3-2 to the Super Falcons, Chebbak's goal was a reminder of her quality and big-game temperament. A place in the record books By claiming the PUMA Golden Boot once more, Chebbak becomes only the second player in WAFCON history to win back-to-back top scorer honours—a feat that underlines her exceptional longevity and consistency. Her impact goes beyond statistics. On and off the pitch, Chebbak has grown into the heartbeat of Moroccan women's football. She is a mentor to younger players, a symbol of the game's evolution in the country, and a beacon of hope for aspiring female footballers across Africa. As Morocco continues to invest in the women's game, Chebbak's legacy is already well-established. And with performances like these, she's showing no signs of slowing down.
CAF
21-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Chebbak, Ndiaye Still Lead, but Race for WAFCON 2024 Golden Boot Heats Up
Published: Sunday, 20 July 2025 Following the conclusion of the CAF TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 quarterfinals in Morocco, the competition for the Golden Boot has intensified, even as several top contenders have exited the tournament. Morocco captain Ghizlane Chebbak remains at the top of the scoring chart with four goals, despite failing to score in the 3-1 quarterfinal victory over Mali. Chebbak, who has not found the net since the group stage, now sees several rivals eliminated or falling behind in the race. Among them are Zambia's Racheal Kundananji and Barbra Banda, each with three goals, who were knocked out by Nigeria in a 5-0 rout. Similarly, Senegal's attacking duo Mama Diop and Nguenar Ndiaye—who both led the team's frontline—were eliminated by South Africa after a goalless draw and a 4-1 loss in the penalty shootout. Ndiaye, who shares the top scorer position with Chebbak at four goals, will no longer be able to add to her tally. Two active players, however, have reignited the chase. Morocco's Ibtissam Jraïdi netted a crucial brace in the quarterfinal against Mali (2-1), bringing her tournament total to three goals. The Al-Ahli FC striker remains a strong candidate for the award, especially if Morocco advances to the final. Nigeria's Chinwendu Ihezuo is also in top form, having scored her team's third goal in the quarterfinal win over Zambia. With three goals as well, she poses the biggest offensive threat for the Super Falcons ahead of their semifinal clash with South Africa. Current Top Scorers – CAF WAFCON 2024, Morocco: 4 goals: Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco), Nguenar Ndiaye (Senegal – eliminated) 3 goals: Ibtissam Jraïdi (Morocco), Chinwendu Ihezuo (Nigeria), Barbra Banda (Zambia – eliminated), Racheal Kundananji (Zambia – eliminated) 2 goals: Mama Diop (Senegal – eliminated), Alice Kusi (Ghana), Aissata Traoré (Mali – eliminated), Yasmine Mrabet (Morocco)
Morocco World
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Chebbak Named in WAFCON Best XI After Group Stage Heroics
Rabat – Ghizlane Chebbak has been named in the team of the group stage at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), as announced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Wednesday. The Moroccan stood out among the tournament's top performers and received recognition as the best player of the first round. Chebbak helped guide Morocco into the quarter-finals with four goals. In Morocco's game against DR Congo, she helped her team win with an impressive hat-trick. She stood out for her vision, passing accuracy, and ability to control the pace of play. CAF's technical group selected her alongside Nigeria's Rasheedat Ajibade and South Africa's Refiloe Jane in a midfield trio commended for its balance of power, creativity, and intelligence. The defensive line includes Bambanani Mbane (South Africa), Lushomo Mweemba (Zambia), Ashleigh Plumptre (Nigeria), and Fikile Magama (South Africa). In goal, Algerian keeper Chloé N'Gazi earned the title of best goalkeeper. The front three features Zambia's Racheal Kundananji and Barbra Banda, along with Senegal's Nguenar Ndiaye. South Africa's Desiree Ellis, the reigning WAFCON champion with the Banyana Banyana, was named best coach of the group stage. Morocco will face Mali in the quarter-finals this Friday, 8 p.m. at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat. Tags: CAFChebbakGhizlane ChebbakMoroccoWAFCON
Morocco World
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Chebbak's Hat-Trick Lifts Morocco to WAFCON Group Lead, Signals New Chapter
Rabat – Ghizlane Chebbak led Morocco to a 4-2 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday night at Rabat's Olympic Stadium, in the second round of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024. The team captain scored three goals, played a central role in helping Morocco take control of Group A, and earned Woman of the Match award. This result places Morocco at the top of Group A with four points, tied with Zambia but ahead on goal difference. It also extends Chebbak's long-standing influence over the national team, an influence rooted in patience, endurance, and the ability to deliver when it matters most. Her goals, scored in the 25th, 43rd, and 75th minutes, told the story of a player who has stayed the course through years of building, leading, and carrying hope on her shoulders. Yasmin Mrabet added the final goal from the penalty spot, wrapping up a match that showed Morocco's attacking power and its collective growth under coach Jorge Vilda. But Wednesday night belonged to Chebbak. She has worn Morocco's colors since 2007, debuting in a friendly against France that ended in a 6-0 defeat. Chebbak has lived through the team's struggles and slow progress, all while pushing forward with a quiet authority. Her leadership was evident in 2022 when she guided Morocco to the WAFCON final, winning top scorer and best player awards. In November 2023, Chebbak was nominated for the 2023 African Player of the Year and 2023 Interclub Player of the Year by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Now, in front of a home crowd, she continues to carry the team with the same composure that has defined her career. 'She played like a boss' At 34, she remains Morocco's most capped player and a point of reference on and off the field. Her ability to connect experience with performance has helped redefine what is possible for Moroccan women in sport. Football runs in her blood. Her father, Larbi Chebbak, played for the Moroccan men's national team in the 1970s. But Ghizlane shaped her own legacy. She has moved the conversation around women's football from the margins to the center. In his post-match comments, Jorge Vilda, coach of the Moroccan women's national team, said: 'We faced a tough and fast opponent, but the players managed to achieve the goal we set. There are still things to fix, and we'll work on correcting the mistakes to be fully ready for the match against Senegal.' Of Chebbak, the coach said: 'When Ghizlane is in that frame of mind, it is impossible to stop her.' He added, 'She transcended the team, led the way. She was everywhere: recovering, creating, finishing. Tonight, she played like a boss.' The Atlas Lionesses began their WAFCON campaign with a 2-2 draw against Zambia. Now, with their latest win, they are aiming higher. Morocco's final group match against Senegal on July 12 now carries the weight of a potential early qualification. For many in the squad, it will be another test. Tags: Atlas LionessesChebbakGhizlane ChebbakMoroccoWAFCON
CAF
10-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Ghizlane Chebbak, the unforgettable conductor of a fiery evening
Published: Wednesday, 09 July 2025 It was her evening. Her scoring. Her tempo. Ghizlane Chebbak, armband on her arm, delighted the crowd at the Stade Olympique in Rabat on Wednesday like never before. A hat-trick of masterful moves and a constant presence: the captain of the Atlas Lionesses single-handedly embodied the Moroccan revolt in this wild match against the Democratic Republic of Congo (4-2), on Matchday 5 of the group stages of the TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024. History may remember the numbers—a hat-trick for a national team in a high-stakes match is no small feat—but those who watched this match will long speak of the manner in which this was achieved. Sharp touches, eagle-like vision above the rest, and above all, the feeling that every time she touched the ball, something could happen. And often, something did. The Fire After the Storm And yet, things had not started out as dreamy for the Moroccans. Trailing 1-0 in the sixth minute thanks to a goal from Merveille Kanjinga, Chebbak's teammates had reason to doubt. Sloppy on the restart, sometimes disorganized in the heart of the game, they struggled to impose their rhythm against a Congolese team that was well-positioned, united and playful. It took a spark. It came, as it often does, from the right foot of the Moroccan number 7. In the 25th minute, a pass from Ibtissam Jraidi, the Levante player found the top corner with a sumptuous shot. The crowd cheered. Morocco was able to breathe again. 20 minutes later, the captain doubled the lead, before concluding her performance by victoriously turning in a slick cross to the far post (75th minute). Three goals, three different signatures. Tailor-made. "She transcended the team." "When Ghizlane is in that frame of mind, it is impossible to stop her," said Moroccan coach Jorge Vilda after the match. "She transcended the team, led the way. She was everywhere: recovering, creating, finishing. Tonight, she played like a boss." In her fine form, the Lionesses rediscovered their signature style. Chebbak, a name that spans generations of Moroccan Women's Football, once again made an impression. Not just with her goals, but with what she represents: a player with a sense of duty, character and a way of speaking up when the situation demands it. And against the DR Congo, a strong voice was needed to get the team back on track. It is worth noting that with her three goals, the Atlas Lioness takes the lead in the scoring charts with four goals so far.
