In a thrilling encounter, Morocco's women's national football team secured their place in the upcoming Women's World Cup by defeating South Africa 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, held on Saturday in Rabat. This victory not only highlights Morocco's growing prowess in women's football but also marks a significant milestone for the team as they prepare for their second World Cup appearance, having previously reached the round of 16 in the 2023 tournament.
The match saw standout performances from Sakina Ouzraoui and Hanane Aït El Haj, both of whom found the back of the net for Morocco. Ouzraoui opened the scoring in the 32nd minute with a stunning volley that sailed over South Africa's goalkeeper Kaylin Swart, giving Morocco an early lead. The second goal came shortly after halftime when Morocco was awarded a penalty due to a foul by Noxolo Cesane on Ghizlane Chebbak, who unfortunately had to exit the match due to injury. El Haj stepped up to convert the penalty, extending Morocco's lead to 2-0.
Despite the setback, South Africa fought back, with Thembi Kgatlana getting on the scoresheet in the 67th minute. Her goal, which initially appeared to be offside, was validated after a lengthy video review, demonstrating her exceptional skill and determination. Kgatlana's goal marked her ninth in WAFCON competitions since her debut in 2018, reaffirming her status as a key player for the South African side.
With this victory, Morocco now looks ahead to their semifinal match against the winner of the quarterfinal clash between Nigeria and Cameroon, scheduled for Wednesday. Meanwhile, South Africa still holds hope for World Cup qualification, as the teams that lost in the quarterfinals will compete on Thursday for a chance in an intercontinental playoff.
As reported by wtop.com.
