Algeria Triumphs Over Ivory Coast in Thrilling Quarterfinal
In a captivating opening match of the quarterfinals at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Algeria staged a remarkable comeback to defeat a ten-player Ivory Coast team with a score of 2-1. This victory not only propels Algeria into the semifinals but also secures their qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. The match commenced with both teams struggling to find their rhythm, as technical inaccuracies plagued the initial moments, thwarting any significant progress into the opposing half.
The Algerian player Morgane Ikene was forced to exit the match in the 20th minute due to an injury sustained at the ankle. Following this setback, it was clear that the Ivorian Elephants took control of the game, nearly scoring first through Safi N'Sira Ouedraogo, whose impressive run down the left flank culminated in a shot that was ultimately ruled offside.
However, the Elephants did not have to wait long to take the lead. Ouedraogo was instrumental again, creating a significant opportunity by evading her marker in the box and setting up Konan for a close-range effort, marking Ouedraogo’s fourth assist of the tournament. The match took a dramatic turn in the 41st minute when Ouedraogo received a red card for an accidental collision with Algeria’s goalkeeper. This incident revitalized the Algerian squad, which had been struggling up to that point.
After halftime, benefiting from their numerical advantage, Algeria began to dominate possession but struggled to create tangible threats, leaving them vulnerable to counterattacks from the Elephants. The game reached a fever pitch in the 59th minute when Ines Khiri equalized for Algeria with a long-range shot that deceived the Ivorian goalkeeper. Shortly thereafter, the Ivorian team had a chance to reclaim the lead with a penalty, but Elloh's shot struck the post. To add insult to injury, Amira Ould Braham scored from outside the box in the 64th minute, giving Algeria the lead. Despite their efforts, the Elephants could not find an equalizer, and Algeria emerged victorious. They will face the winner of the match between Malawi and Ghana in the semifinals.
Morocco Claims Victory Against South Africa
The second quarterfinal saw Morocco take on South Africa in a match that mirrored the earlier game in terms of initial struggles for both teams to establish their play. Nonetheless, Morocco, buoyed by their home crowd in Rabat, began to find their footing, creating offensive opportunities, although the Banyana Banyana defense remained resolute. After a goalless first half marked by a lack of significant shots on target, Sakina Ouzraoui managed to lob the South African goalkeeper with a volley in the 31st minute, putting Morocco ahead.
Returning from the break, Morocco quickly added to their lead when Ghizlane Chebbak was fouled in the box, resulting in a penalty that Hanane Ait El Haj converted with confidence, marking her first goal in the tournament. Despite South Africa's attempts to respond, including a goal from Kgatlana that was initially ruled offside but later confirmed by VAR, the Moroccan defense held firm. With neither side able to penetrate effectively in the closing stages, Morocco secured the victory, avenging their loss in the final of the 2022 AFCON. They will now face the winner of the quarterfinal clash between Cameroon and Nigeria.
As reported by rfi.fr.
