Ghizlane Chebbak has once again etched her name in African football history by securing the Golden Boot at the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024--three years after her first.
The Moroccan captain, who found the net five times during the tournament, emerged as the competition's top scorer for a second consecutive edition, capping off a brilliant campaign on home turf with the prestigious PUMA Golden Boot award.
Now 34, Chebbak continues to lead by example, following in the footsteps of her father, Larbi Chebbak, a 1976 Africa Cup of Nations winner with Morocco.
But where her father left a mark in the men's game, Ghizlane is rewriting history in the women's edition--establishing herself as an enduring icon of Moroccan football.
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Commanding from the outset
Chebbak wasted no time asserting her dominance at the tournament. In Morocco's group stage opener against Zambia, she delivered a commanding performance before truly stealing the spotlight in the clash against the Democratic Republic of Congo, where she netted a clinical hat-trick.
Her masterful combination of positioning, technique and composure put the opposition on the back foot. It was a demonstration of experience fused with instinct--showing why she remains such a critical part of Jorge Vilda's setup.
Even in matches where she didn't get on the scoresheet, such as against Mali and Ghana, Chebbak's presence was palpable.
Whether through her link-up play, movement, or vocal leadership, she left her imprint on every encounter.
Making her mark in the final
On the grandest stage of all--the final against Nigeria in Rabat--Chebbak delivered again. Just 13 minutes in, she picked up a ball on the edge of the area, controlled it effortlessly, and unleashed a shot that flew past Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie into the bottom corner.
It was a moment that electrified the crowd at the Stade Olympique and gave Morocco the early lead in what would become a tense five-goal thriller.
While Morocco ultimately fell short, losing 3-2 to the Super Falcons, Chebbak's goal was a reminder of her quality and big-game temperament.
A place in the record books
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By claiming the PUMA Golden Boot once more, Chebbak becomes only the second player in WAFCON history to win back-to-back top scorer honours--a feat that underlines her exceptional longevity and consistency.
Her impact goes beyond statistics. On and off the pitch, Chebbak has grown into the heartbeat of Moroccan women's football.
She is a mentor to younger players, a symbol of the game's evolution in the country, and a beacon of hope for aspiring female footballers across Africa.
As Morocco continues to invest in the women's game, Chebbak's legacy is already well-established. And with performances like these, she's showing no signs of slowing down.
