Morocco end Banyana Banyana’s Wafcon run and postpone World Cup hopes

Morocco ended Banyana Banyana’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-1 victory at Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat on Saturday.

The hosts’ win also secured Morocco a place at next year’s World Cup in Brazil, while South Africa must now take the longer route if they are to qualify for the global tournament.

Banyana Banyana will face the loser of Sunday’s quarter-final between Malawi and Ghana on Thursday. Victory in that match would give them one of CAF’s two places in the intercontinental play-offs, where they will have another opportunity to secure a World Cup spot.

South Africa’s campaign has been unusually unconvincing by their standards. They won only one of their three group-stage matches, drawing one and losing one, before progressing to the quarter-finals.

Morocco were backed by a passionate home crowd whose persistent whistling made conditions uncomfortable for Banyana Banyana whenever they had possession. The support helped the hosts establish control of the match from the opening stages.

Sakina Ouzraoui and captain Ghizlane Chebbak were central to Morocco’s early attacking play as they exchanged passes around the edge of the South African penalty area. The pressure forced Banyana Banyana to commit more players to defensive duties and left Thembi Kgatlana largely isolated in attack.

South Africa’s clearest route forward in the first half came through long passes from Bambanani Mbane and Karabo Dhlamini, aimed at releasing Kgatlana. Morocco’s defence, however, reacted quickly and ensured the forward could not take advantage of those deliveries.

The hosts took the lead after 31 minutes. Hanane Ait El Haj found Ouzraoui with a diagonal pass, and the forward produced a composed first-time finish from just outside the penalty area. The strike left South Africa goalkeeper Kaylin Swart shaking her head in disbelief.

Morocco manager Jorge Rodriguez remained on his feet for much of the contest, while South Africa boss Desiree Ellis spent far less time on the touchline. Fitness coach Ridhaa Allie and goalkeeper coach Lucky Shiburi were instead the more vocal figures in the Banyana Banyana technical area.

The situation became even more difficult for South Africa shortly after the interval when Noxolo Cesane brought down Chebbak inside the area. Although the Morocco captain was later forced off, Ait El Haj converted the resulting penalty in the 52nd minute to double the hosts’ advantage.

Banyana Banyana appeared unsettled after conceding the second goal, even as Morocco’s momentum began to fade. The introduction of Robyn Moodaly brought greater energy to the South African performance and added urgency to their play.

That change helped produce a response in the 67th minute. Dhlamini sent a through ball behind the Moroccan defence, and Kgatlana timed her run well to beat the offside trap before pulling a goal back for South Africa.

The goal was checked at length by VAR after the assistant referee on the right initially ruled Kgatlana offside. The decision was eventually overturned, but South Africa could not find an equaliser and Morocco held on to reach the last four.