馃嚥馃嚘MoroccoNorth Africa
Morocco's Atlas Lionesses seek first continental title at home in 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations
via Le Matin3 min read
The Atlas Lionesses of Morocco are set to compete for their first continental title at home in the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations WAFCON. The team has shown consistent progress, reaching two consecutive WAFCON finals and the Round of 16 at the 2023 World Cup. Morocco will open their campaign against Kenya on Sunday at 9 PM at Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, followed by matches against Algeria and Senegal in Group A. Beyond the trophy, the WAFCON also serves as a qualifier for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil, with the four semi-finalists earning direct qualification. Coach Jorge Vilda expressed confidence in his team, stating they will fight with commitment and determination to make Moroccans proud. He highlighted the team's development over three seasons, focusing on expanding the national talent pool, strengthening competition, and building a more solid defensive and offensive game. Captain Ghizlane Chebbak echoed the focus on the first match and the team's objective to win the title and qualify for the World Cup. While Morocco is a favorite, Group A is challenging, with Kenya returning after a decade, Algeria having eliminated Cameroon, and Senegal being a consistent quarter-finalist. Morocco's recent 5-0 victory over Cape Verde in a preparation match provides an encouraging sign for their ambitions.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
Morocco received close to 9.4 million tourists by the end of June, according to a recent economic report from the DEPF. This increase reflects a rise in arrivals from several markets, including France +9%, Germany +14%, Belgium +9%, Netherlands +10%, Italy +6%, Poland +32%, the United Kingdom +4%, and the United States +9%. The tourism sector began the year with an 8.1% increase in its added value in the first quarter of 2026, following an 8.7% consolidation the previous year. Key indicators suggest a continued favorable trend for the sector's activity in the coming months. Overnight stays in classified accommodation establishments grew by 9% by the end of last May, building on a 12.4% increase a year prior. This growth is attributed to strong performances in destinations such as Marrakech +10%, Agadir +13%, Casablanca +12%, Ouarzazate +24%, Rabat +18%, Tangier +8%, F猫s +7%, Essaouira +6%, Errachidia +8%, and Al Haouz +4%. Travel receipts reached approximately 53.8 billion dirhams, marking a 14.6% improvement compared to the end of May 2025.
Must ReadSANY Heavy Industry, a Chinese construction equipment giant, is increasingly focusing on Morocco as a strategic hub for its African operations. The company, founded in 1989 and now a Fortune Global 500 enterprise, generates over 60% of its revenue from international activities. SANY's factory in Changsha, China, showcases advanced automation and smart manufacturing, reflecting its "T2E" strategy of globalization, digitalization, and decarbonization. This strategy involves significant investment in electric and intelligent equipment, factory automation, and digital platforms like ROOTCLOUD and iSANY, which cover the entire value chain from R&D to financial services and training. SANY's commitment to advanced manufacturing is recognized by the World Economic Forum, which has designated three of its factories, including the Changsha facility, as "Lighthouse Factories" for their Industry 4.0 integration. Morocco holds particular significance for SANY, being the first foreign country to purchase its equipment in 2002. The relationship has since deepened, with SANY viewing Morocco not only as a key market but also as a platform for expanding its activities across Africa, aligning with Morocco's role as an industrial and logistical hub connecting Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Beyond equipment sales, SANY has engaged in humanitarian efforts, providing machinery and engineers for earthquake relief in Al Haouz. The company is also involved in Morocco's industrialization, supplyi
Must ReadWildfires are raging across Spain and France, leading to the evacuation of over 270,000 people. In Spain, a smoke haze covers Madrid, with fires having ravaged up to 25,000 hectares west of the capital. Authorities in the Madrid region reported over 70,000 evacuations, including more than 1,200 elderly and disabled individuals from care facilities. Regional prefect Francisco Mart铆n Aguirre noted that while temperatures have dropped and humidity increased, erratic gusts of wind pose a challenge. Two distinct forest fires merged into a single large blaze, threatening to combine with another in the neighboring Castile and Le贸n region. In France, fires near the tourist-heavy Arcachon Basin have resulted in at least 200,000 evacuations since Wednesday evening from the Gironde and Landes departments. Prime Minister S茅bastien Lecornu announced the deployment of an A400M military transport aircraft equipped with a dropping kit. Residents of the Cap-Ferret peninsula near Bordeaux were ordered to evacuate by road and boat. Evacuees, like Olivier Stewart and Fr茅d茅ric Tavitian, described the stress and the sight of smoke columns resembling a volcano. Authorities stated that the fires have covered over 40,000 hectares, four times the size of Paris, and destroyed at least 100 buildings, making it the largest fire of the season. Both Spain and France have activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism, with Spain requesting four aerial firefighting assets and France receiving three from