by MOHAMED EL KADIRI
CASABLANCA – HOST nation Morocco have progressed to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final against Nigeria after beating rival Ghana 4-2 on penalties in a semifinal encounter played at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat on Tuesday night.
Earlier Nigeria’s Super Falcons had narrowly edged WAFCON defending champions – South Africa’s Banyana Banyana 2 – 1 in another semifinal clash tightly contested at Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca.
Following a 1-1 stalemate in regulation and extra-times, the Atlas Lionesses and Black Queens squared off in penalties to separate the two teams in which Morocco won the shootout 4-2.
In normal regulation 90-minutes, Ghana’s Black Queens had scored first through Stella Nyamekye while the Atlas Lionesses equalised courtesy of Sakina Ouzraoui forcing the two nations to go into penalty shoot-out.
In another seminal encounter between Nigeria and South Africa, Rasheedat Ajibade had given the Super Falcons the lead from the penalty-spot before South Africa hit back with a similar spot-kick through Linda Motlhalo to level terms.
When it appeared the match would go for extra-time and penalty shoot-out, Nigeria’s Alozie let fly a cross deep into the South African penalty box thereby putting goalkeeper Andile Dlamini under pressure before letting the ball pass her for an easy goal.
The Morocco – Nigeria separate victories placed the two nations into final set for Saturday night.
On the other hand, South Africa and Ghana will battle out for the third and fourth position in a match penciled for Friday evening.
Friday, 25th JULY 2025
CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations
Ghana vs South Africa (21:00Hrs)
Saturday, 26th JULY 2025
Morocco vs Nigeria (22:00Hrs) Final
LINE-UPS
Morocco: Errmichi, Ait El Haj, Benzina, Rabbah, Redouani, Mrabet (Kassi 105’), Chebbak (Lahmari 105’), Nakkach (Badri 36’), Mssoudy (Tagnaout 91’ [Chapelle 116’]), Ouzraoui (Saoud 91’) Diki, Jraidi
Ghana: Konlan, Duah, Boakye, Kyerewaa, Yeboah, Cudjoe, Asantewaa, Marfo (Kusi 58’), Nyamekye (Badu 89’), Boaduwaa (Adubea 71’), Boye-Hlorkah (Sumaila 103’)
– CAJ News
