This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
Hibapress-Rabat-Caf
“We are seriously preparing to mark our imprint with total female CAN,” says the Atlas lioness attacker. “I always want supporters to be satisfied with me and my services on the ground,” says the Moroccan. “My goal is above all to help my country, Morocco, to stay on the right track. »»
Executive of the national female team of Morocco, Ibtissam Jraidi confided in Cafonline.com on his personal ambitions and his ultimate dream: to raise the African Cup of Female Nations Totalnergies with Morocco, in front of its audience, during the 2024 edition organized in July 2025. The first Moroccan World Cup in the FIFA Women’s Cup, she has already achieved several personal objectives. But his obsession remains the continental title.
At 32, the player of Al Ahli (Saudi Arabia) will have the opportunity to offer Morocco her very first continental coronation, two years after having failed in the final against South Africa (2-1).
In this sincere and deep interview, Ibtissam Jraidi evokes his progression, his relationship with coach Jorge Vilda, and his vision of the future tournament.
CAFONLINE.COM: How is your personal preparation for the next Totalnergies CAF CAF?
Ibtissam Jraidi: Thanks to God, my preparation goes well. We work regularly, my teammates and I. We are aware of the responsibility that is ours. The female CAN will be difficult. Each team will play their chances. We are seriously preparing to make our voice heard in this competition.
You have become an emblematic figure of Moroccan women’s football, especially after your World Cup goal. Is it a pressure or a source of motivation for you?
It is a real source of motivation. This pushes me to redouble their efforts to help my national team achieve their goals. Each player dreams of scoring in the World Cup, winning an trophy or an individual title. But nothing is easy: it requires work, sacrifices. It is the fruit of a total commitment.
You participated in the last edition of the CAN. What lessons did you learn from it?
Honestly, we were not shot dead by defeat in the final. We have faced a very beautiful team from South Africa. These are small details that made the difference. That’s football. We did not win, but we did not give up either. We redoubled their efforts to come back stronger during this new edition.
Since then, you have progressed on an individual level: the second best banner in the Saudi championship, the first Moroccan scorer in the World Cup … How do you live this recognition?
I always try to make the supporters proud, whether those of my club in Saudi Arabia or those of Morocco. I want them to be satisfied with my services. But it requires a lot of work. In my eyes, what is given to training is reflected on the ground. You have to be 100 % concentrated at each session to be able to give the best of yourself in match.
Morocco inherited a group noted with Zambia, Senegal and DR Congo. What is your opinion on this draw?
They are solid opponents. Each team qualified for the final phase comes with the ambition of winning. Everyone is targeting the title, and this is often played for little. As far as we are concerned, we work seriously. We know our mission, and we will give everything to go as far as possible. And why not win the cup? We want to make our people proud.
What are your personal ambitions for this edition of the CAN?
My goal is above all to help my country stay on the right track. I want to give everything I can offer, at 200 %. Be useful for my teammates, my team and Morocco to win this title. This is what matters most to me.
What is your role within the current group?
If I am selected, my role is clear: making my contribution to the team and the country. Individual considerations pass afterwards. I just want the technical staff and the leaders to be satisfied with my work and my commitment.
Jorge Vilda, world champion with Spain, is now the coach of Morocco. How do you live this change and what does it bring to the group, especially to your attacker’s post?
Working with him allowed me to gain confidence. He believes in my qualities and transmits us a great energy. He mentally prepares us, motivates us, and pushes us to surpass ourselves. He makes us want to enter the field with a smile, and beat ourselves to the end. For me, he is the best coach in the world.
If you could speak to the 15-year-old Ibtissam, what would you say?
I would tell him never to abandon, to continue to believe in his dreams, to work hard, to persevere. If you want something deeply, you can reach it. You have to trace your way, accept failures, get up and continue to move forward. Thanks to God, I achieved almost all my goals. I only have one dream left: to win the Totalnergies female CAN with my country. This is my ultimate dream today. And I hope we will do it together, with ambition and solidarity.
A final word for Moroccan supporters, who place a lot of hopes in your team?
Moroccans love football, and they like the results. I ask them to continue supporting us, until the last minute. Supporters are our 12th player. They give us incredible strength. We will fight for them on the ground, we will give much more than our maximum. We will play for them, and if necessary, we will fight to the end for their pride.
