Hosts Morocco booked their place in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over former champions South Africa on Saturday evening.
The win not only sends the Atlas Lionesses into the last four of the continental showpiece but also secures their qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.
Morocco made an enterprising start and almost opened the scoring in the 20th minute when Sanaa Mssoudy rose highest to meet a cross, but her header sailed narrowly over.
South Africa responded immediately through Thembi Kgatlana, whose first sight of goal a minute later also went over the bar as both sides looked to gain the upper hand.
The breakthrough arrived in the 31st minute when Sakina Ouzraoui produced a sublime first-time finish to register her second goal of the tournament. The forward reacted quickest inside the area to guide her effort beyond Kaylin Swart and hand the hosts a deserved lead before the break.
Morocco doubled their advantage six minutes after the restart when Hanane Aït El Haj calmly converted from the penalty spot after South Africa were adjudged to have committed a foul inside the area.
Trailing by two goals, Banyana Banyana increased the intensity and were rewarded in the 67th minute. Thembi Kgatlana showcased her attacking quality, breaking in from the left before unleashing a fierce strike that reduced the deficit and set up a tense finish.
South Africa continued to push forward in search of an equaliser, applying sustained pressure on the Moroccan defence. However, the hosts remained organised and disciplined at the back, limiting clear-cut opportunities despite the mounting pressure.
When the final whistle sounded, it was Morocco who emerged 2-1 winners to continue their impressive tournament run.
The victory sees the hosts advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for Wednesday, 12 August, while also securing a coveted place at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.
