Moroccan defender, Nouhaila Benzina, on Sunday, made history as the first player to wear a hijab at a World Cup as the North Africans defeated South Korea1-0 in their second match in Group H at the Adelaide Stadium.
Benzina, who plays in Morocco for AS FAR (Association’s Sports of Forces Armed Royal), is the first player to wear a hijab at a senior women’s international tournament.
Morocco gained their first ever victory at a Women’s World Cup with a sixth minute goal by Ibtissam Jraidi as the North Africans, ranked 72nd in the world, stunned their 17th-ranked opponents.
However, the highlight of the match was 25-year-old Benzina who created a history of her own when she took to the field wearing the Islamic headscarf known as Hijab, making her the first player in history to be so dressed at the World Cup.
FIFA had previously banned the Hijab on health and safety grounds but that was changed in 2014 before the Under-17 Women’s World Cup that was held in Jordan. But before Benzina, no female player had exploited the approval.
The 25-year-old defender was an unused substitute for Morocco’s opening 6-0 defeat against Germany but was selected in the starting line-up by manager, Reynald Pedros for the must-win match.
After being trounced 6-0 by Germany in their opening game, Morocco revived their hopes of qualification from Group H thanks to the early goal from Jraidi, and will hope for another favourable result when they take on Colombia in their final game of the group.
The win moved Morocco on to three points from two matches, while Korea remain on zero points and have only a mathematical chance of reaching the knockout stages.