CAN 2022 Women: Salma Amani, a link with the Lionesses of Morocco
Moroccan midfielder Salma Amani with Atlas Lionesses coach Reynald Pedros.
© RFI/David Kalfa
Text by: David Kalfa Follow
2 mins
At 32, Moroccan Salma Amani tastes the joys of an African Cup of Nations (CAN 2022) at home.
"
A dream
" for this experienced 32-year-old midfielder who made her national team debut in 2012.
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From our special correspondent in Rabat,
“
It is a dream that we are living.
Salma Amani can savor: her Moroccan team has already qualified for the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations (
CAN 2022
) at home, before a match against Senegal on July 8.
So certainly, the midfielder left the field a little prematurely against Burkina Faso (80th) and Uganda (61st).
But she does not sulk her pleasure.
Because she is playing this CAN 2022 in her hometown, in front of thousands of spectators.
“
It can't be explained what you feel when you are on the ground and you see that you are supported by all the Moroccan people
,” she underlines.
It's hard to put words to it.
But we prepared in order to be ready and to lift the cup at the end of this competition
”.
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Lifting the cup in front of a cheering crowd, a goal that seemed out of reach for the little-known Moroccan team when Salma Amani made her debut with the Atlas Lionesses in 2012. "
I've had the chance to to be part of this team
, recalls the one who grew up in the West of France.
I saw its evolution and that of women's football in Morocco, which was implemented to move things forward.
Living this competition today is fantastic for me, but also for many players, including future players
.
“We consider each other as sisters”
The current resident of the US Saint-Malo (French second division), who has spent his entire professional career in France, now relies on this double experience to put the news at ease in the den.
“
I would not say that I have a special place but I try to make the link between the old and the youngest, with those who do not speak too much English for example
, estimates this ex-policeman.
It's more this role of link that I have
”.
In the documentary “
Atlas Lionesses: Hear Them Roar!
”, the number 8 summed up: “
Morocco is a team that lives very well, with a lot of good humor when it is necessary, but also a lot of seriousness when it is also necessary.
There are some girls I've known for quite a few years.
We consider each other as sisters.
»
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