The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has appointed Frenchman Eric Blahic as the new head coach of Morocco’s women’s national team, replacing Jorge Vilda.
Blahic will take charge of the Lionesses of the Atlas for the first time during a training camp featuring two friendlies against Uzbekistan on 9 and 12 October. The opening match will be played at Stade Moulay El Hassan, with the second taking place at Stade Al Madina, both in Rabat.
The 57-year-old, who was born in Suresnes, has previously worked as an assistant with En Avant Guingamp, Sochaux, Paris Saint-Germain and Bordeaux in men’s football. He was also part of the France women’s coaching staff under Corinne Diacre and Herve Renard between 2020 and 2024.
This is the first time Blahic has been appointed to lead a senior national team.
His main objective will be to guide Morocco to their first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title. That was the target Vilda was unable to achieve during his three years in charge, despite the resources made available to him.
Vilda was appointed in November 2023 after winning the Women’s World Cup with Spain. His position came under renewed pressure after Morocco lost to Algeria in the third-place play-off at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on home soil in mid-August. The match finished 1-1 before Algeria prevailed 3-2 on penalties.
The Spaniard’s best result with Morocco was reaching the final of the previous edition, where they were beaten 3-2 by Nigeria in July 2025.
Blahic has made five changes to the squad for the start of his tenure, handing first senior call-ups to five players who have all previously represented Morocco at youth level.
The newcomers are Ikram Neddar of Frosinone, Melek Hader of Utrecht, Assala Gharrou of FUS Rabat, Lina Jamai of Porto and Salma Temmar, also of FUS Rabat.
Jamai was named among the African Young Players of the Year in 2024.
Eight players have also returned to the squad: Zineb El Arari, Djennah Cherif, Inara Bouker, Fatima El Ghazouani, Samya Masnaoui, Imane Touriss, Yasmine Zouhir and Laftah Nadia.
Blahic has retained most of Morocco’s established players, including goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi, Ibtissam Jraidi, Ghizlane Chebbak, Hanane Ait El Haj, Nouhaila Benzina, Maryame Atiq, Yasmin Mrabet, Sanaa Mssoudy and Sakina Ouzraoui.