“God gifted us; now it’s our turn” – FC Masar Coach Ayed
After falling short in the North African (UNAF) zone qualifiers, Egypt’s FC Masar was given a “gift from God” as per their coach Abdel Rahman Ayed when they were granted qualification to the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League as the host country representatives.
The Egyptian champions fell short from qualification when they finished second in North African (UNAF) zonal qualifiers. After beating Tunisia’s ASF Sousse and Algeria’s CF Akbou 9-0 and 5-0 respectively, FC Masar lost to Morocco’s FUS Rabat 3-1 to leave them the zone’s lone qualification ticket.
But it was second time lucky for FC Masar when Egypt was handed the organization rights, to allow them their third appearance in the continental women clubs’ showpiece.
“We gave our best in the qualifiers, but luck stood against us in the last game. Participation came as a gift from God, and now we need to give our all to take it as it should be”, Ayed told CAFOnline.com.
FC Masar finished third when they had the debut in the 2024 edition in Morocco, a feat that remains the best in Egyptian women football history. They reached the semifinals once again last year in Egypt but couldn’t repeat their feat finishing in fourth place.
“To play in the CAF Champions League for the 3rd time in a row means a lot to FC Masar. It’s an achievement that goes beyond our domestic success, but also as one of the most participating sides in the continental championship”, he explained.
“This is a reflection of the great work done from everyone at the club, from management to the technical staff to the players and everyone at the club”, Ayed added.
“We finished third and fourth in our previous appearances, now we are looking forward to going farthest; this is what FC Masar deserves”, confirmed the 29-years old head coach.
FC Masar were drawn in Group A alongside FUS Rabat, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns and Cameroon’s Lekie FF, and Ayed sees no big difference among their opponents.
“All the teams in this tournament are of the highest level. Every team can go far and for us all the 8 teams are competing with us for the title”.
Ayed applauded the role CAF Women’s Champions League played in the development of women football in the continent, and said “Women football witnessed a huge development, on both technical and promotional aspects. The matches are entertaining and on a high tactical and physical level. I believe women football followers hugely increased.
“CAF Women’s Champions League played the biggest role in this development because it encourages more clubs to focus on women football to participate in it. This benefits everyone who is linked to women football, and it helped a lot in women’s football development al over the continent”, confirmed Ayed.
“I would like to thank those who are responsible for women football in Egypt for their contribution in its development over the past years. We promise that we will do our best to achieve a big thing on the African level to reflect Egypt’s women football development. I just hope they continue supporting it over the coming years”, concluded Masar head coach Ayed.