Ibtissam Jraidi: "My dream is to win the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON with Morocco"

• "We are preparing seriously to make our mark at the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON," says the Atlas Lionesses striker.
• "I always want the fans to be satisfied with me and my performances on the pitch," said the Moroccan.
• "My goal is first and foremost to help my country, Morocco, stay on track."

Ibtissam Jraidi, striker with the Moroccan women's national team, spoke to CAFOnline.com about her personal ambitions and her ultimate dream: to lift the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations in front of her home crowd at the 2024 edition to be held in July 2025. 

Morocco's first goalscorer at a FIFA Women's World Cup, she has already achieved several personal goals. But her obsession remains the continental title.

At 32 years old, the player of Al Ahli (Saudi Arabia) will have the opportunity to offer Morocco its very first continental title, three years after failing in the final against South Africa (2-1).

In this in-depth interview, Jraidi talks about her progress, relationship with coach Jorge Vilda and vision for the upcoming tournament.

CAFOnline.com: How is your personal preparation for the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON going?

Ibtissam Jraidi: Thank God, my preparation is going well. We work on a regular basis, my teammates and I. We are aware of the responsibility we have. The Women's AFCON will be difficult. Each team will play its chances to the fullest. We are preparing seriously to make our voice heard in this competition.

You have become an emblematic figure of Moroccan women's football, especially after your goal in the World Cup. Is this a pressure or a source of motivation for you?

It's a real source of motivation. It pushes me to redouble my efforts to help my national team achieve its goals. Every player dreams of scoring at the World Cup, winning a trophy or an individual title. But nothing is easy: it requires work, sacrifices. It is the result of a total commitment.

You took part in the last edition of the AFCON. What lessons have you learned from this?

Honestly, we weren't deflated by the defeat in the final. We played against a very good South African team. It was small details that made the difference. That's football. We didn't win, but we didn't give up either. We have redoubled our efforts to come back stronger in this new edition.

Since then, you have progressed on an individual level: second top scorer in the Saudi league, first Moroccan scorer in the World Cup... How do you feel about this recognition?

I always try to make the fans proud, whether they are those of my club in Saudi Arabia or those of Morocco. I want them to be satisfied with my performances. But it takes a lot of work. In my eyes, what we give in training is reflected on the pitch. You have to be 100% focused on each session to be able to give the best of yourself in matches.

Morocco has inherited a tough group with Zambia, Senegal and DR Congo. What is your opinion of the draw?

They are solid opponents. Each team qualified for the finals comes with the ambition to win. Everyone is aiming for the title, and it often comes down to a few things. 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 TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON?

My goal is above all to help my country stay on the right track. I want to give everything I can offer, 200%. To be useful to my teammates, to my team and to Morocco to win this title. That's what matters most to me.

What is your role within the current group?

If I am selected, my role is clear: to contribute to the team and to the country. Individual considerations come second. I just want the technical staff and the directors to be satisfied with my work and my commitment.

Jorge Vilda, world champion with Spain, is now the coach of Morocco. How do you feel about this change and what does it bring to the group, especially in your position as a striker?

Working with him has allowed me to gain confidence. He believes in my qualities and transmits great energy to us. It prepares us mentally, motivates us, and pushes us to surpass ourselves. He makes us want to go on the pitch with a smile, and fight until the end. For me, he's the best coach in the world.

If you could talk to the 15-year-old Ibtissam, what would you say to her?

I would tell her to never give up, to keep believing in her dreams, to work hard, to persevere. If you want something deeply, you can achieve it. You have to chart your own path, accept failures, get back up and keep moving forward. Thank God, I achieved almost all of my goals. I have only one dream left: to win the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON with my country. That's my ultimate dream today. And I hope that we will achieve this together, with ambition and solidarity.

A last word for the Moroccan fans, who place a lot of hope in your team?

Moroccans love football, and they love results. I ask them to continue to support us, until the last minute. The fans are our 12th player. They give us incredible strength. We will fight for them on the pitch, we will give much more than our maximum. We will play for them, and if we have to, we will fight to the end for their pride.