Pakistan women will take part in the FIFA Series in Cote dIvoire from April 9 to 16, marking the country’s first appearance in a FIFA-sanctioned event at the senior women’s level. The participation offers the squad valuable international exposure and represents an important step for women’s football in Pakistan.
The Pakistan women open their campaign against the Turks and Caicos Islands on April 9, meet Mauritania on April 12, and finish group play against hosts Cote dIvoire on April 16 in what promises to be a challenging and defining encounter for the team.
Under the direction of women’s head coach Adeel Rizki, the squad completed an intensive preparatory camp in Lahore focused on cohesion and match readiness. The team is scheduled to depart for Cote dIvoire on Monday after weeks of training designed to sharpen fitness and tactical understanding ahead of the FIFA Series.
Forward Nadia Khan expressed gratitude to Pakistan Football Federation President Syed Mohsen Gilani for facilitating the team’s entry to the tournament. ‘On behalf of the entire team, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to PFF President Mohsen Gilani for making our participation in the FIFA Series possible,’ she said. Nadia added that the team values real follow-through on promises and the opportunity to compete at a higher level.
Goalkeeper Zeeyana Jivraj underlined how important extended preparation has been for the side. ‘FIFA specifically picks us to compete in the FIFA series, and I think it is really big for us,’ she said, noting that the extra weeks to train together have helped the team bond and build a deeper understanding that they hope will show on the pitch.
Midfielder Sanah Mehdi urged fans to get behind the team during the tournament. ‘We’re all really looking forward to the support and please get behind us and watch our games,’ she said, adding that fan backing means a great deal and drives the players forward.
The Pakistan women squad for the FIFA Series includes goalkeepers Zeeyana Jivraj, Nisha Ashraf and Arzoo Hazara; defenders Isra Khan, Anaya Ahmad, Anmol Hira, Kayla Siddiqui, Karissa Jivraj, Alia Sadiq, Maria Khan and Nizalia Siddiqi; midfielders Suha Hirani, Rameen Fareed, Layla Banaras, Sanah Mehdi and Zehmena Malik; and forwards Mariam Mahmood, Aqsa Mushtaq, Aiman Altaf, Nadia Khan, Maryam Zehri and Azwa Chaudhry.
