AS FAR coach Hicham El Idrissi: ‘We will aim to defend our CAF Women’s Champions League title’
AS FAR Women head coach Hicham El Idrissi says his team will enter the CAF Women’s Champions League with the clear ambition of defending their continental title, relying on confidence, determination and teamwork.
El Idrissi believes his first continental campaign with AS FAR Women represents an important experience and a genuine test of whether the work they have done can be translated into results and performances worthy of the club’s history and stature.
In an exclusive interview with CAFOnline.com, the Moroccan coach praised the significant development of <a href="https://absafricatv.com/amref-health-africa-ceo-calls-for-action-on-health-in-africa/” title=”Amref Health Africa CEO calls for action on health in Africa”>African women’s football, saying the CAF Women’s Champions League is helping to raise the level of competition, encourage the exchange of experience and develop players.
CAFOnline.com: You will take part in the CAF Women’s Champions League as defending champions. What are your ambitions for the new edition?
Hicham El Idrissi: Being continental champions carries a great responsibility, but at the same time it is a strong motivation for us.
AS FAR is a club accustomed to competing at the highest level, so we will enter this edition with a clear ambition to defend our title and perform at the highest possible level.
We know the task will not be easy, but we have the confidence, determination and teamwork required to compete strongly.
What can you say about your first continental campaign with AS FAR Women?
This is an important experience for me, and I feel very proud to lead AS FAR in this continental competition.
From the beginning of my time here, our objective has been to build a team capable of competing both domestically and on the continent.
The CAF Women’s Champions League represents a genuine test for us, and we will try to translate the work we have done into results and performances worthy of the club’s history and stature.
From a technical perspective, how do you view the development of women’s football in Africa in recent years?
African women’s football has developed significantly in recent years, whether in terms of the technical level, organisation, media attention or investment in players.
We are now seeing African national teams and clubs competing more strongly at international level, which is a very positive sign.
I believe the future will be promising if we continue to support the players and develop infrastructure and coaching.
What role does the CAF Women’s Champions League play in developing women’s football across the continent?
This competition plays a fundamental role in accelerating the development of women’s football on the continent because it gives clubs and players the opportunity to compete against the best in Africa.
It also helps to raise the level of competition, encourages the exchange of experience and gives players valuable experience that helps them develop.
The stronger this competition becomes, the more positively that will be reflected in African women’s football as a whole.
How do you assess the level of competition in this new edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League?
The competition has become stronger with every edition, and that is positive for African football.
The participating clubs are now better prepared and organised, and the levels between the teams are increasingly close.
That means no opponent can be underestimated, and we have to be fully focused from the first match because small details are often decisive in tournaments like this.
In your opinion, what are the key factors required to reach the latter stages of the CAF Women’s Champions League and compete for the continental title?
I believe several factors will be decisive, most importantly concentration, tactical discipline, physical and mental readiness, and teamwork.
AS FAR’s experience in this competition helps us, but experience alone is not enough because every edition has its own circumstances and challenges.
We need to approach each match individually, respect every opponent and make the most of our strengths in order to go as far as possible.
What message would you like to give to AS FAR’s supporters?
I would say to AS FAR’s supporters: always stand by us and believe in your team.
Your support gives the players extra energy and increases their motivation to perform at their best.
We will give everything we have to represent the club and Moroccan football in the manner they deserve, and we will fight in every match to make our supporters happy and defend our continental title.
