Morocco's football star Ghizlane Chebbak: Walking in the footsteps of my late father
The captain of the first Arab nation to qualify for the World Cup shares how she was inspired by her father, Larbi, who won the men's African Cup of Nations in 1976.
Football
Ghizlane Chebbak found her love of football through her father - the African Cup of Nations champion Larbi.
The former midfielder played a key role for Morocco when they claimed the tournament in 1976, inspiring her daughter Ghizlane to go down the same path and pursue a career in football.
"The first thing I learned from my dad was the love of football, and the first gift I got from him was a ball," Ghizlane Chebbak told BBC Sport.
"Dad noticed that I loved to play football, so he decided to bring me a ball. I kept the ball with me all the time - to the point that I slept with it. He started playing with me and teaching me how to hit a ball, give a pass or juggle."
46 years after her father’s continental title, Ghizlane Chebbak almost emulated Larbi’s achievement. The Morocco captain led her team to the final of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations on home soil, but here the Atlas Lionesses lost to South Africa 2-1.
A trailblazer for Arab women
While Morocco failed to win their first major title, they qualified for the World Cup, as the first Arab country, changing the perception of the sport among Moroccans.
“In Morocco the widespread opinion was that football is just a male sport. We managed to change that vision. We hope to see many Arab teams in the World Cup. They can achieve this too if they work hard,” Ghizlane Chebbak said.
“We've got off to a good start and left a legacy for girls to make a great effort to achieve what we've achieved and love football."
32-year-old Chabbak lost her father three years ago, yet his name is still with her on the pitch on the back of her shirt.
"I think my dad is happy with what I've realised today. Every time our last name is mentioned my dad is mentioned too. He's always there and he's never going to disappear from my life,” concludes the Morocco captain.
The forward was named player of the tournament at the 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations. She is also the most capped player and the top goal scorer for the Morocco women's national football team.
At the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, Morocco lost their first match 6-0 to Germany. They will face the Republic of Korea next, with Colombia awaiting them in the final match of the group stage.