Debutantes Morocco claimed their first ever victory at the Women’s World Cup with a 1-0 win over South Korea in their second Group H encounter on Sunday, making history by becoming the first team to wear a hijab at a World Cup.
Morocco are 55 rungs below South Korea in the women’s rankings, but the African side made an early breakthrough with their first ever World Cup goal in the sixth minute from striker Ibtissam Jraidi – as Nouhaila Benzina became the first player ever to wear a hijab at a World Cup.
Hanane Ait El Haj whipped in a cross from the right and Jraidi dived forward to make contact with a deft glancing header that went in at the far post.
Morocco defender Benzina, who became the first player to wear a headscarf at the Women’s World Cup, made crucial interventions, while she almost scored from a set-piece when she volleyed a snapshot over the bar.
Benzina, 25, plays professionally in Morocco for AS FAR (Association’s Sports of Forces Armed Royal), where the wearing of the hijab is commonplace.
But it is a different matter on the global stage with FIFA banning their wearing for a number of years on health and safety grounds.
That ban was lifted in 2014 and the Under-17 Women’s World Cup that year, staged in Jordan, marked the first time Muslim players wore headscarves.
Credit: dailymail.co.uk
