Hosts Morocco edge South Africa to reach WAFCON semifinals
Morocco defeated South Africa 2-1 in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, securing a spot in the semifinals and qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. The match was a competitive encounter that saw Morocco maintain a lead despite a late goal from South Africa.
Why it matters
This victory marks a major milestone for Moroccan women's football and confirms their participation in the next World Cup.
Hosts Morocco booked their place in the semifinals 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 night.
✅ #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2026 semi-finalists ✅ 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification Morocco edge Banyana 2-1 in a tense encounter. #SSFootball pic.twitter.com/iEX4TOyHbo
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.
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