Mohamed Amine Alioua (AS FAR): “Our objective has remained the same since 2022 — to win”
The story of Moroccan football continues to be written in bold letters. From the triumph of the U20 Lions at the FIFA World Cup in Chile to the growing influence of Moroccan clubs on the continental stage, a wave of confidence and ambition is sweeping across the Kingdom.
At the heart of this momentum stands AS FAR, the undisputed powerhouse of women’s football in Morocco, preparing to contest a record fifth CAF Women’s Champions League.
After falling just short in last year’s final against TP Mazembe, the Militaires are determined to transform disappointment into drive. Under the guidance of Mohamed Amine Alioua, the Rabat-based giants have rebuilt with purpose — focusing on defensive solidity, attacking efficiency, and a collective hunger to bring continental glory back to Morocco.
A model of consistency
AS FAR’s record speaks for itself: four podium finishes from four participations — including the historic 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League title, a runners-up medal in 2024, and two bronze medals in between. For Alioua, this consistency is no accident but the result of a long-term vision shared by the club and the Moroccan Football Federation.
“It’s a club project,” he explains. “In Morocco, there’s a strong national drive to develop the game, especially on the women’s side. AS FAR have dominated domestically since 2012, and at one point, winning the league and the Throne Cup was no longer enough. We wanted to shine beyond our borders — and every year, our goal remains the same: to win everything.”
This fifth consecutive qualification cements AS FAR’s status as the most consistent women’s club in African football, embodying both ambition and excellence.
Learning from defeat
Last year’s final in Rabat remains a painful memory for Alioua. Playing on home soil, AS FAR fell 1–0 to TP Mazembe, missing the chance to secure a second continental title.
“It was a very bad memory — the worst, honestly,” admits the coach. “We were so close, but injuries hurt us deeply. A week before the competition, we lost key players with the national team, and during the tournament, we had barely ten fully fit players. It was heartbreaking.”
Yet, that setback became a source of renewal. The club used the off-season to expand its squad, strengthen the attack, and refine its tactical balance.
“In defeat, you learn. We realised we needed more depth, better recruitment and emotional control. This year, we’ve built a more complete team — one capable of matching the power and pace of sub-Saharan sides while relying on our own strengths: technique and tactical intelligence.”
Eyes on the title — and beyond
As AS FAR embark on another campaign, their ambition is crystal clear.
“The goal is the same as in 2022, 2023, and 2024 — to win every match,” insists Alioua. “If you do that, you naturally go far. This edition will be tougher because it’s also a qualifier for the first FIFA Women’s Club World Cup, but we want to be the first African club to earn that honour, Inshallah.”
The upcoming FIFA Women’s Club World Cup, to be held in England, adds a new layer of significance to this year’s competition. The CAF Women’s Champions League winner will represent Africa on the global stage.
“It’s a dream,” says Alioua. “It would be another level entirely — facing the best teams from Europe, South America, and beyond. But it’s also an opportunity. Africa is growing fast, and Morocco wants to be part of that story. We don’t just want to participate; we want to compete for titles.”
The Moroccan football renaissance
Alioua’s journey mirrors the broader transformation of Moroccan football. With improved infrastructure, technical investment and a clear national vision, the country has become a benchmark on the continent.
“We want to live up to this new national dynamic,” he says. “There’s an expectation that Moroccan teams will lead by example — in structure, professionalism, and performance. That’s a responsibility we embrace.”
A word to the fans
Few fanbases in African women’s football are as passionate as AS FAR’s, and Alioua is quick to credit them for the team’s success.
“Our supporters are our greatest strength,” he smiles. “They fill the stands at home and even travel with us abroad. They put the same pressure and passion on the women’s team as on the men’s — and that’s an incredible force. They are our capital, our pride. We’ll give everything on the pitch to make them proud once again.”
Marching forward
As Morocco continues its golden era of football, AS FAR carry the hopes of a nation once more. With a strengthened squad, renewed determination, and the tactical acumen of Mohamed Amine Alioua, the Militaires enter the CAF Women’s Champions League 2025 with one mission: reclaim the continental crown and lead Africa into a new chapter of global competition.