HIBAPRESS-RABAT-CAF
The player of the Egyptian club FC Masar (formerly Tutankhamon), Mahira Ali, gave an exclusive interview to CAFonline.com. She affirmed that Masar’s main objective is to win the CAF Women’s Champions League and that she, alongside her teammates, will strive for a high-level performance in the final stages.
Mahira Ali stressed that, for this first participation in the CAF Women’s Champions League, which will be held in Morocco in 2024, the goal of her team is to win the title and honor Egyptian football.
CAFonline.com: Congratulations to the Egyptian club Masar and to you, the players, for your qualification for the CAF Women’s Champions League finals!
Mahira Ali : We thank God for this qualification to the final stages of the Women’s Champions League. This is a great achievement for the club, and we hope to deliver a creditable performance for Egyptian football.
The Masar club distinguished itself during the North African Union qualifications, reaching second place. What is the secret of your success?
*We approached qualifying with a competitive spirit. We put our all into training and scrupulously followed our coach’s instructions. We took our responsibilities and, for our first participation, we proved that we deserved our place in the final.
You will participate for the first time in the CAF Women’s Champions League. How did you receive this news and what are the Masar club’s objectives for the final stages?
*We were all overwhelmed with joy when our qualification was confirmed. This was our goal since our victory in the Egyptian championship. Now our goal is to perform at the highest level at the finals and compete for our first continental title.
In the final stages, you will face powerful African teams, some of whom have already won the title. How do you envisage this competition?
*This will certainly be a very high-level competition, as the finals bring together the eight best teams in Africa, with experienced clubs who have already won the title. At the Masar club, we respect each team and hope to be up to this competition, with the ambition of winning the title, God willing.
As one of the most talented players in African women’s football, what does the CAF Women’s Champions League mean to you?
*Every player dreams of participating in a competition of this magnitude. The CAF Women’s Champions League is one of the most followed tournaments in African women’s football and, in the coming years, will allow qualification for even more prestigious competitions, such as the Club World Cup. It’s a huge source of motivation for all the players.
How do you see the future of women’s football in Africa?
*I hope that women’s football gets the recognition it deserves, like men’s football, and that the gap between the two narrows. I think we are on the right track and the sport is growing in importance every year, attracting increasing interest at all levels.
What message would you like to send to African women footballers?
*I wish all the players the best and hope that each one can shine at the highest level. I also encourage them to stay focused on their dreams.
