Morocco Edge Ghana on Penalties To Face Nigeria In 2024 WAFCON Final

Morocco Edge Ghana on Penalties To Face Nigeria In 2024 WAFCON Final 

By Admin 

Hosts Morocco have sealed their place in a second consecutive Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final after defeating Ghana 4–2 on penalties in a pulsating semifinal encounter that ended 1–1 after extra time at the Stade Moulay Abdellah in Rabat on Tuesday night.

The victory means, Morocco will face Nigeria in the final of the competition slated for Saturday.

The Atlas Lionesses held their nerve during the shootout, with goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi making a crucial save and two Ghanaian players failing to convert, to secure a date with Nigeria in Saturday’s final.

Ghana, who impressed for much of the evening, will now face defending champions South Africa in the third-place playoff on Friday.

The Black Queens started brightly and were rewarded in the 26th minute when Stella Nyamekye capitalised on a defensive lapse to smash home a loose ball following a corner. The goal reflected Ghana's early dominance, with the trio of Doris Boaduwaa, Princess Marfo, and Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah causing constant problems for Morocco’s backline.

However, the momentum shifted in the second half. Spurred on by a raucous home crowd, Morocco found their equaliser in the 55th minute when Sakina Ouzraoui Diki scrambled the ball over the line after Ibtissam Jraïdi’s deflected effort caused chaos in the box.

Both sides created chances as the match opened up, with Ghana threatening on the counter through Princella Adubea and Alice Kusi, while Morocco gradually asserted control in midfield.

Extra time saw drama and fatigue take their toll. Injuries to Morocco’s Fatima Tagnaout and Ghana’s Princella Adubea disrupted the flow, and Ghana's Evelyn Badu squandered a golden opportunity in the 100th minute, heading wide from close range. Morocco’s Hanane Aït El Haj also came close with a speculative long-range effort that fizzed just over the crossbar.

With the deadlock unbroken after 120 minutes, penalties were needed. Morocco converted all four of their kicks—through Hanane Aït El Haj, Ibtissam Jraïdi, Kenza Chapelle, and Anissa Lahmari—while Ghana faltered. Badu fired wide and Comfort Yeboah was denied by Er-Rmichi, sending the home crowd into raptures.

The result keeps alive Morocco’s historic pursuit of a maiden WAFCON title on home soil, while Ghana—despite a strong showing—must now regroup for a bronze medal clash against South Africa.