Morocco Beat Ghana on Penalties to Reach Second Straight WAFCON Final

Hosts Morocco secured their place in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final after defeating Ghana 4-2 on penalties in a gripping semi-final that ended 1-1 after extra time at the Stade Moulay Abdellah in Rabat on Tuesday night.

It was a fiercely contested encounter between two of Africa’s top women’s sides. Ghana started the brighter of the two, creating several early chances and asserting control in midfield. Their early momentum paid off in the 26th minute when Stella Nyamekye pounced on a loose ball following a corner to fire home and give the Black Queens a deserved lead.

The Ghanaians continued to threaten throughout the first half, with Doris Boaduwaa, Princess Marfo, and Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah troubling the Moroccan defence. However, the Atlas Lionesses came out stronger after the break, buoyed by a roaring home crowd and a growing sense of urgency.

Their persistence was rewarded in the 55th minute when Sakina Ouzraoui Diki bundled in the equaliser after a period of sustained pressure and a deflected attempt from striker Ibtissam Jraïdi. From that point, Morocco took control of possession but Ghana remained dangerous on the counterattack, with Princella Adubea and Alice Kusi both coming close late in the second half.

With the match still level at full time, extra time brought even more drama. Injuries forced key changes on both sides, including Morocco’s Fatima Tagnaout and Ghana’s Adubea, who both received treatment. Ghana had a golden opportunity to snatch a win when Evelyn Badu headed wide from close range in the 100th minute.

After 120 minutes, the match headed to penalties. Morocco held their nerve, converting four of their five spot-kicks through Hanane Aït El Haj, Ibtissam Jraïdi, Kenza Chapelle, and Anissa Lahmari. Ghana faltered, with Badu firing wide and Comfort Yeboah’s effort saved by Khadija Er-Rmichi, whose heroics sealed the win.

The result sparked jubilant celebrations in Rabat as Morocco booked their second straight WAFCON final appearance. They will now face Nigeria on Saturday in a highly anticipated showdown. Ghana, meanwhile, will play South Africa on Friday in the third-place playoff as they look to end their campaign on a high.

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