Moroccan women’s football clubs went into the transfer market and apparently decided Morocco was not big enough.
Ahead of the new season, clubs have been recruiting players from leagues across Europe, Africa, North America and the Middle East, giving the women’s championship a much more international look.
Defending heavyweights AS FAR are among the clubs making moves, bringing in players with experience in countries including Switzerland, the Netherlands, France and Belgium.
The recruitment has also stretched much further.
Players connected to clubs in the United States, Saudi Arabia, Jamaica, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, DR Congo and Equatorial Guinea are entering the Moroccan football conversation.
Among the notable arrivals is Jamaican international Chinazum Niki Foster, who has joined AS FAR after playing for TP Mazembe.
Meanwhile, FUS Rabat has also looked internationally, including recruitment from the US college system, while bringing Moroccan international experience into its squad.
There has been so much movement that the women’s transfer window was extended until October 7, giving clubs additional time to complete their squads.
And this is bigger than a list of transfers.
Morocco has spent the past few years investing heavily in women’s football, from the national team’s World Cup appearance to hosting major African competitions.
Now the domestic league has to grow with it.
International players choosing Moroccan clubs does not automatically transform the championship overnight.
But it does make the upcoming season much more interesting.
The Women’s Botola is building a roster worth paying attention to.
