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At the beginning of the summer, women's football had filled the stadiums in France at the 2019 World Cup won by the United States. Everywhere on the planet, the round ball tends to become the property of girls. In Rabat, during the 12th African Games, the women are present for the under-20 tournament. Reportage.
From our special envoy to Morocco,
Tuesday, August 20th. Despite the anonymity, the joy was immense for the Algerian women who beat the neighbors of Mali (1-0), under a blazing sun, thanks to a goal of Ferial Daoui at Boubker Aamar stadium in Rabat. The player from FC Constantine opened the scoring in the eighth minute for the only goal of this match of the second day of the women's football tournament of the 12th African Games (group A).
Beyond the score, it is the look on the discipline that is changing: Malian players, who participate in the African Games men's football tournament, were in the stands to support their compatriots.
Bakary, happy for the girls of his country
" When the country plays, the whole population is concerned, " says the coach of boys. " In recent years, girls have been able to participate in many competitions. I believe that women's football is progressing on our continent. The girls are able to make families understand that football is also for them, "adds Mamatou Kane. Beside, cries of encouragement are heard. " I'm proud of them and I respect them, says Bakary Samake, midfielder who evolves at Real Bamako. Girls or boys, it's good to practice football. "
The president of the African Football Confederation (CAF), Ahmad, had hinted at a press conference at the end of the CAN 2019 in Egypt that the development of women's football should be one of CAF's priorities in the coming years. On the African continent, for the moment, it is the Nigerians who dominate the discipline. They were also present at the last World Cup with Cameroon and South Africa.
Naima Laouadi, the pioneer of Algerian women's football
If Algerian men's football has been highlighted by winning the CAN 2019 in Egypt, Algerian women's football is " in the works ". Algerian journalist Walid Bouaouiche explains: " We have lost players and we are in the process of rebuilding. It will take a few more years before having a very competitive team to represent Algeria in major international competitions . "
The former international, Naïma Laouadi, who has been professional in France and is now a coach of Algerian U20, has a lot to offer. The woman who played football during the black decade of Algeria had the chance to participate in the 2004 CAN in South Africa. With its " small ", they want to advance the Algerian women's football. Unlike twenty years ago, there are three categories within the federation (U17, U20 and seniors).
" We are women and we have the right to exist "
Naïma Laouadi wants to raise his " nuggets ". " The federation is now interested in us and it's unheard of. We have to make a good performance here in Morocco so that the state and the federation can trust us and give us more resources. We must change her look on women, "says this pioneer round ball, who had also tasted athletics and judo in his youth. " We are women and we have the right to exist, " she says with a broad smile.
" Women's football is growing and it's good. Football is also for girls and it should not shock anymore. We must help us , "said the young Camelia Toumi, midfielder, who quotes the Brazilian Marta as an example. With the victory of the Fennecs in the land of the Pharaohs, young Algerians should be galvanized to bring women's football as high as possible in the world hierarchy.
All young girls in Morocco represent the future of African women's football. And maybe one of them will one day have the chance to make a career and why not play the European Champions League or fly to the United States, where they would be the queens of this sport king.