Najat Badri (AS FAR): "Defending our title is a great responsibility, but also a source of pride"
AS FAR captain Najat Badri says defending the CAF Women's Champions League title brings added responsibility but also greater motivation as the Moroccan club prepares for the 2026 edition of the competition.
The reigning champions return to continental competition aiming to retain the trophy they won in 2025, with Badri insisting the challenge of being the team to beat should inspire rather than burden the squad.
A two-time winner of the competition with AS FAR, in 2022 and 2025, the Morocco international believes her experience will be particularly important for teammates making their first appearance on the continental stage.
Badri also believes African women's football has made significant progress in recent years, with clubs becoming more organised, investment increasing and the gap between competing teams continuing to narrow.
In an exclusive interview with CAFonline.com, she spoke about AS FAR's title defence, the development of women's football on the continent and the responsibility she carries as captain.
CAFonline.com: You will be competing in the 2026 CAF Women's Champions League as the defending champions. What does the responsibility of defending this title mean?
Najat Badri: Defending our title is a great responsibility, but also a source of pride. When you wear the AS FAR jersey, you always have a duty to represent the club in the best possible way. So, when you enter a competition as the defending champions, this responsibility is even greater. For us, it's not pressure, but extra motivation. We will give everything to keep the Cup in Morocco and make our fans happy.
You will be returning to the CAF Women's Champions League after having won the competition twice. What does that mean to you?
The CAF Women's Champions League holds a special place in my career. My two titles, in 2022 and 2025, are moments I'm incredibly proud of. Returning to this competition is therefore a very special experience for me. But this time, the responsibility is even greater as I'm wearing the captain's armband. I want to draw on my experience to help my teammates, especially those who are new to the competition, and be a role model for them, both on and off the pitch.
What can we expect from AS FAR in this new edition of the CAF Women's Champions League?
Each season brings its own set of new challenges. The team continues to progress with the arrival of new players, while others gain experience. The current group possesses many qualities and, above all, a real desire to achieve something special. Repeating our performance won't be easy, but we have a united group that believes in its abilities. We will take it one game at a time to reach our goal.
You have extensive experience in continental football. How do you assess the development of women's football in Africa?
Through my various appearances in continental competitions, I can say that the progress is very clear. The technical level has increased, the clubs are better organized, and there is greater investment and interest in women's football. With each new edition, I see the gaps between the teams narrowing. This is a good thing, as it makes the competition more challenging and pushes all the players to improve.
What can you say about the level of the CAF Women's Champions League and what AS FAR will need to show for this new participation?
The competition has become very tough, and there are no easy matches anymore. African clubs have improved and now boast top-level players. Therefore, we must be fully focused from the very beginning. The difference will come down to teamwork, discipline, concentration, and mindset, not forgetting our experience in this competition. We must respect every opponent and believe in our ability to achieve our goal.
What message do you wish to send to your teammates and what promise do you make to your supporters?
To my teammates, I want to say that we must believe in ourselves and play as one team, from the first minute to the last. We are here because we deserve it, and we must give everything to defend the colors of AS FAR.
To our supporters, I ask you to stay behind us. Your support gives us tremendous strength. We promise to fight in every match and give everything to defend our title, proudly represent AS FAR, and make Moroccan football shine.