Morocco beat South Africa to reach Women’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals

Morocco ended South Africa’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2-1 quarter-final victory over Banyana Banyana on Saturday evening, securing their place in next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Brazil.

The result saw the Atlas Lionesses repeat their success from the 2022 final in Casablanca, where they again made home advantage count. For South Africa, the defeat brought an end to their title defence and their hopes of using the tournament to qualify for another World Cup.

The match took time to settle, but Morocco created the first clear opening. A high cross from the right found Sanaa Mssoudy, whose header drifted just wide of the top corner.

South Africa responded positively and almost took the lead when Thembi Kgatlana created room outside the penalty area. Her effort, however, narrowly missed the target.

Morocco then took control shortly after the half-hour mark. Sakina Ouzraoui met a dangerous cross from the right side of the box and cleverly lifted the ball over South Africa goalkeeper Kaylin Swart to give the hosts a 1-0 lead in the 31st minute.

That advantage was extended five minutes after the restart. Noxolo Cesane was penalised for a foul inside the area, giving Morocco a penalty. Hanan Ait El Haj remained composed from the spot and doubled the hosts’ lead in the 52nd minute.

South Africa head coach Desiree Ellis responded by making a change 12 minutes into the second half, replacing Robyn Moodaly-Salgado with Amogelang Motau as she looked to add fresh energy to the attack.

Banyana Banyana reduced the deficit with 23 minutes remaining. Kgatlana timed her run to beat the offside trap before finishing from a tight angle. The goal was initially subject to a Video Assistant Referee check but was eventually awarded, giving Kgatlana her third goal of the tournament.

South Africa came close to an equaliser moments later. Motau moved into the near side of the penalty area and struck towards goal, but Morocco goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi produced an outstanding save to preserve her side’s advantage.

The 2022 champions continued to commit players forward as they searched for a second goal, yet Morocco held firm during the closing stages.

South Africa’s late pressure was not enough to force extra time, and Morocco secured a place in the latter stages of the competition while also claiming the World Cup qualification spot that had been at stake for both nations.