Women’s Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco, Senegal through to quarterfinals
A passionate home crowd roared Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses into the quarterfinals of the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in the country’s history, as they secured qualification with a 3-1 win over Uganda at Rabat’s Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex.
The home fans were in full voice as their local heroes were ultimately too strong for a gallant Uganda.
The first half was very balanced between the two teams. Morocco opened the scoring in the 15th minute through a penalty converted by striker Rosella Ayyane, who had won and then converted the penalty which was awarded after the intervention of VAR.
Despite opening the scoring early in the game, Reynald Pedros’ players struggled to impose themselves on the game as the Crested Cranes grew in strength. It did not come as a surprise when in the 32nd minute the Ugandans managed to equalize through a Somaya Komuntale drive.
In the second half as soon as the players entered the pitch, the Atlas Lionesses tried to impose their game and became more decisive. Their efforts were rewarded, when they scored a second goal through Nesryne Elchad in the 68th minute.
Captain Ghizlane Chebbak was given the responsibility of converting a second penalty awarded to the Atlas Lionesses in the 84th minute, making no mistake to put the game beyond the reach of the Ugandans.
With their second victory in tow matches played, Morocco qualified for the second round of the TotalEnergies WAFCON on home soil and it was a historic qualification for the Lionesses of the Atlas, who will have to win against Senegal on the third day of Group A to top the group.
Uganda, for its part, has not as yet officially said goodbye to the competition. The Crested Cranes will have to win on the last day of the group stage against Burkina Faso, who are in the same situation, and hope to qualify as the best third place finisher.
Senegal on the other hand also made history by qualifying for the quarterfinals following their 1-0 victory against Burkina on Tuesday at the Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex.
Mame Moussa Cisse’s team scored the only goal of the match, converting a penalty kick in the 84th minute by Korka Fall, who had come on only seven minutes earlier to make her tournament debut.
Following this success, Senegal sit comfortably on six points with hosts Morocco, while Burkina Faso with two defeats in two games, will have to win against Uganda on the third match day to try to secure a best third place finish to qualify for the next round of the competition.
