The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has appointed Frenchman Eric Blahic as the new manager of Morocco’s women’s national team, ending Jorge Vilda’s tenure after three years in charge.
Blahic will oversee his first training camp with the Atlas Lionesses, which includes two friendlies against Uzbekistan on 9 and 12 October. The opening match will be played at Stade Moulay El Hassan, with the second fixture taking place at Stade Al Madina, both in Rabat.
The 61-year-old, who was born in Suresnes, has worked with En Avant Guingamp, Sochaux, Paris Saint-Germain and Bordeaux as an assistant in the men’s game. He was also part of the France women’s coaching staff under Corinne Diacre and Herve Renard between 2020 and 2024.
This will be Blahic’s first senior national team managerial appointment. His main task will be to lead Morocco to their first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.
Vilda was dismissed after Morocco lost to Algeria in the third-place play-off at the tournament on home soil in mid-August. The match ended 1-1 before Algeria won 3-2 on penalties.
The former Spain manager had been appointed by Morocco in November 2023 after winning the Women’s World Cup with Spain. His best result with the Atlas Lionesses came at the previous edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, when Morocco reached the final before losing 3-2 to Nigeria in July 2025.
Blahic has made five changes to the squad for the start of his tenure, handing first senior call-ups to players who had previously represented Morocco at youth level.
The new arrivals are Ikram Neddar of Frosinone, Melek Hader of Utrecht, Assala Gharrou of FUS Rabat, Lina Jamai of Porto and Salma Temmar 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, captain Ghizlane Chebbak, Hanane Ait El Haj, Nouhaila Benzina, Maryame Atiq, Yasmin Mrabet, Sanaa Mssoudy and Sakina Ouzraoui.
The two matches against Uzbekistan will provide Blahic with his first opportunity to assess the squad as Morocco begin a new chapter under their French manager.