Morocco are through to the semi-finals of the 2024 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after securing a commanding 3-1 victory over Mali on Friday night at the Stade Olympique de Rabat.
Backed by a passionate home crowd, the Atlas Lionesses wasted little time in asserting their dominance. In the 7th minute, star striker Ibtissam Jraidi opened the scoring with a neat finish from a low cross by the lively Sakina Ouzraoui Diki.
Mali thought they had drawn level in the 37th minute, but their goal was ruled out for offside, keeping Morocco in the lead heading into the break.
The second half saw a more determined display from Mali, but Morocco maintained their grip on the game. In the 79th minute, Jraidi calmly converted a penalty to double Morocco’s lead and complete her brace for the night.
Ten minutes later, substitute Kenza Chapelle added a third for the hosts with a well-taken strike to put the game beyond doubt. Mali managed to pull one back in stoppage time through Aissata Traore, but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation.
The win sends Morocco into the semi-finals of the competition, where they will face the winner of the Ghana vs Algeria quarter-final clash.
