Morocco, Algeria storm WAFCON semis

The hosts stormed to the last four following their 2-1 win against South Africa in quarter final two match played on Saturday August 8 at the Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.

TCD Tenerife (ESP) forward put the hosts ahead in the31st minute before Hanane Aitelhaj scored a penalty in the 50th minute to hand the North Africa giants the win and a chance to play in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be hosted in Brazil.

Tigres Uanl (Mexico) forward Thembi Kgatlana gave South Africa a consolation goal in the 66th minute a goal which was decided by the Video Assistant Referee after an alleged offside.  

Morocco qualified for the quarters after topping group A with seven points, started the tournament on a high spirits snatching a 4-0 win in their opener on July 26 before defeating Algeria 1-0 to end their preliminary stage with a goalless draw against Senegal.

Morocco first chance arrived in the 20th minute through Asfar (Morocco) forward Sanaa Mssoudy who shot outside the net.

South Africa continued pressing and in the 21st minute striker Thembi Kgatlana was left one one one with Morocco keeper Khadija Er – Rmichi but she shot wide.

In the 18th minute, Sanaa Mssoudy was booked after a wrongly tackling South African Amogelang Masego.

In the second half Morocco were on fire as they missed a couple of chances to win with big margin. Yasmin Mrabet has a chance in the 62nd minute to make it three for Morocco but she hit the post.

The penalty seemed to unsettle the South Africans who got another chance in the 61st minute through Bambanani Mbane but her shot was cleared by Morocco keeper.

South Africa Head coach Desiree Ellis made a chance as she brough in Robyn Kimberly for Amogelang Masego Motau.

Eelier at Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca Ines Khiri (58) and Amira Ould Braham (64) scored a goal each in 58th and 64th minutes respectively to hand their country an important 2-1 win against West Africa heavyweights Ivory Cost to emerge the first team to qualify to the semis.

Consolation goals for Algeria were scored in the 29 minute by Strasbourg forward Ines Konan. Ivory Coast was however left 10 players on the pitch after their lethal midfielder Nsira Quedraogo was red carded in the 42nd minute.

Algeria finished as first runners up in Group A with six points one adrift of leaders Morocco as Senegal and Kenya followed suit in the third and fourth positions with 4 and zero points   in that order with both sides bowing out the competition in the preliminary stage.

The will now meet winner of quarter final four to be played on Sunday 9th August pitting Malawi and Ghana from Al Medina Stadium in Rabat from 11PM E. A.T while Morocco will tackle winner of quarter final three between Cameroon and defending champions Nigeria scheduled for Sunday at 8PM E.AT at Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca.