Morocco secured a hard-fought 1-0 win against Senegal on Saturday evening, earning a direct ticket to the quarter-finals of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The victory, achieved at the Stade Olympique in Rabat, confirmed the hosts as Group A winners. In the group’s other fixture, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) bowed out of the tournament after suffering a third consecutive defeat, this time against Zambia.
From the opening whistle, Morocco asserted its dominance, displaying fluid movement and attacking intent. Within the first ten minutes, Sakina Ouzraoui and Ghizlane Chebbak both found the back of the net but were denied by offside calls.
The early pressure, however, set the tone for what would become a tense and tightly contested match.
Senegal responded with a moment of danger in the 16th minute. Nguenar Ndiaye surged down the right wing and unleashed a powerful cross-shot that narrowly missed the far post, giving Moroccan goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi a brief scare.
The hosts continued to probe and nearly found the opener two minutes later when Ibtissam Jraidi chipped the ball past Senegalese keeper Adji Ndiaye, only for a defender to clear the attempt off the line. Despite Moroccan appeals, the referee ruled that the ball had not fully crossed into the net.
Morocco’s frustrations mounted as the first half wore on. Chebbak missed a golden opportunity in the 34th minute after rounding Ndiaye, only to send her effort wide of the post with an open goal in front of her. Minutes later, she was denied again inside the box following a last-ditch defensive effort by Senegal.
The breakthrough finally arrived in first-half stoppage time. A VAR review confirmed a foul on Jraidi inside the area, after a flailing arm from Ndiaye caught her in the face.
Referee intervention led to a penalty, which Yasmin Mrabet calmly converted in the 45+2 minute. The Spanish-born midfielder, who previously scored from the spot against the DRC, doubled her tournament tally and gave Morocco a deserved lead.
Jorge Vilda’s side pushed to extend their advantage after the break but were let down by poor finishing. Jraidi blazed over in the 69th minute after finding space on the right, while several other Moroccan attacks faltered at the final pass.
Senegal nearly found a dramatic equaliser in the 81st minute, pouncing on a counter-attack that ended with the ball in the back of the net — only for the goal to be chalked off due to offside.
In added time, Chebbak thought she had sealed the result with a late effort, but her celebrations were short-lived as the assistant referee raised the flag once more.
Despite the narrow margin, Morocco’s performance was enough to top the group and confirm their progression to the quarter-finals on home soil.
DRC Exit Without a Point
Meanwhile, Zambia sealed their place in the knockout stage with a parallel 1-0 win over the DRC at El Bachir Stadium in Mohammedia.
The Zambians matched Morocco’s tally of six points but trailed on goal difference, settling for second in Group A.
For the DRC, the tournament ends in disappointment. The team leaves without a single point, finishing at the bottom of the group and failing to register a goal in their three outings.
It marks a frustrating conclusion to a campaign that began with promise but never gained momentum.
Senegal, finishing third, must now wait anxiously as the remaining group matches unfold. Their hopes of reaching the next round as one of the best third-placed teams rest on results from the other groups, which will determine whether their journey in Morocco continues.
