Najat Badri: "We aiming for a second CAF Women's Champions ...

Published: Saturday, 05 October 2024

• Women's football in Africa is evolving.
• Hard work and perseverance have allowed us to maintain our level at the Royal Moroccan Army Club.
• The level of competition in the African Women's Champions League is physically demanding

AS FAR and Moroccan women's national team star Najat Badri expressed her ambitions for the upcoming 2024 CAF Women's Champions League finals, confirming that her team is determined to win the title for the second time in the club's history.

In an exclusive interview with CAFonline.com, the 36-year-old discussed the remarkable development of women's football in Africa and shared the secret behind her consistent brilliance with her teammates at the Royal Moroccan Army Club during the finals of the African Women's Champions League.

Scoring the winning goal against Egypt's Tun Ankh Amun (1-0) in the final round of the MAF region qualifiers, she praised the competitive level of the CAF Women's Champions League.

First of all, congratulations to you and your club, FAR, for qualifying for the CAF Women's Champions League finals! What are your thoughts?

Thank you! We are thrilled about this qualification, which did not come easily. I salute my teammates for their efforts. As you know, women's football has made significant progress, and achieving this qualification was no small feat. I thank everyone at the club for their hard work, and I wish my team good luck in the 2024 CAF Champions League finals. We aim to make our mark and win the title for the second time in the club's history.

You scored the winning goal in the last match during the NAF zone qualifiers, which secured your qualification for the finals. How do you feel?

The goal I scored was a collective effort from all the players of the Royal Moroccan Army Club, and I thank them for their support. It was a culmination of our hard work, and thanks to my passion for the game, I was able to score the winning goal. I dedicate it to my daughter, Malak.

The Royal Moroccan Army Club has qualified for the African Women's Champions League for the fourth consecutive time. What do you think is the secret to your consistent presence in the finals?

Hard work and perseverance are what have allowed us to maintain our level. Participating in the finals every season is not easy, but this will be our fourth season in the African Women's Champions League, and God willing, we will be able to win the title again, adding a second trophy to the Royal Moroccan Army Club’s achievements.

You regularly compete with FAR in the CAF Women's Champions League. What can you say about this competition and its technical level?

The level of competition in the African Women's Champions League is physically demanding. The other African clubs that participate in the finals are quite different from those in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, as the players from those clubs often exhibit great physical strength. We strive to work on this aspect to ensure we face fewer challenges and maintain a strong competition. Winning the title is not easy; it requires a well-integrated team and a strong sense of unity, where all players are like a family, along with focused preparation during the competition.

How do you see the future of women's football in Africa as a professional player?

Women's football in Africa is experiencing remarkable growth. We now have well-developed clubs, and both Moroccan women's football and the wider African continent are showing great progress. The competition is fierce, and the technical level of women's football is constantly evolving.

What do you think is the secret that consistently allows FAR to reach the semi-finals of the CAF Women's Champions League, especially after having activated the competition's golden box for the past three editions?

As you know, success comes from hard work, and this is not easy. Our team includes players from the national team, and we continually train together. We always have a goal in the CAF Women's Champions League, leaving no room for complacency. We aim to work toward long-term success to ensure both performance and results are commendable.

Can you give a final message to women footballers in Africa?

I commend all the African players for their remarkable progress. African women's football is currently at a high level in terms of physical condition, and I encourage all players to continue persevering to make a difference in the women's competition.