CAN Women’s 2024: Ghizlane Chebbak, the Moroccan captain and goal scorer under the spotlight | OneFootball

Inspirational captain and decisive player, Ghizlane Chebbak leads Morocco into CAN 2024 with ambition.

Ghizlane Chebbak

Ghizlane Chebbak, captain of the Atlas Lionesses, stands out as one of Morocco’s key players at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. After two matchdays, she shares the top scorer position with Senegal’s Ndiaye.

For Ghizlane Chebbak, age is just a number—it doesn’t stop her from shining on the pitch. The 34-year-old is currently competing at home in the 2024 Women’s AFCON with the Lionesses of the Atlas. Firmly grounded, she played a pivotal role in Morocco’s qualification for the quarterfinals with 4 goals in the group stage, and remains fiercely determined to claim her nation’s first continental crown.

5 things to know about Ghizlane Chebbak, captain of the Atlas Lionesses

Ghizlane Chebbak was born on September 22, 1990, in Casablanca. The daughter of Larbi Chebbak, a former Moroccan international, she grew up in an environment where football reigns supreme. From a working-class neighborhood in Morocco’s economic capital, she kicked her first balls at Difaâ Aïn Sebaa.

She began her career at Rachad Bernoussi (2003), then Raja Aïn Harrouda (2005), before donning the colors of Wydad Casablanca (2008), Raja CA (2009), Al Nassim, and others. In 2012, Ghizlane Chebbak joined AS FAR, where she became a cornerstone for both the club and the national team. With the military club, she racked up titles: more than 10 Moroccan championships, 10 Throne Cups, and a historic CAF Women’s Champions League title in 2022 in Rabat—the club’s first continental trophy.

Chebbak finished as Top Scorer of the Moroccan women’s league five times, with jaw-dropping numbers: 54 goals in 2014—a national record that still stands—followed by 37 in 2015, 39 in 2016, 35 in 2017, and 23 in 2023. She was also named League Player of the Year three times, in the 2017–2018, 2019–2020, and 2021–2022 seasons.

After twelve years with AS FAR, Ghizlane Chebbak moved to Europe in February 2024 at the age of 33. She has made 38 appearances and scored 5 goals in Spain’s top division.

Ghizlane Chebbak joined Morocco’s national team in 2007, making her debut on March 8, 2008, in a friendly against France. The Atlas Lionesses failed to qualify for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018. In 2022, captain Chebbak finally led her team back to the tournament, reaching the final before narrowly losing to South Africa (2-1). She still came away with both the Player of the Tournament and joint Top Scorer (3 goals) awards at CAN 2022. In the ongoing 15th edition of CAN, held in Morocco, she already has 4 goals after three matches. From 2020 to today, she has scored 21 goals in 43 appearances.