Morocco 2-1 South Africa

Goals: Ouzraoui (31^st), Ait El Haj (52^nd SP) for the Atlas Lionesses // Kgatlana (67^th) for the Banyana Banyana

The Atlas Lionesses secured their ticket to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations Women’s tournament with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over South Africa. This win avenged their 2022 final defeat to the Banyana Banyana. For South Africa, it marked their first quarter-final exit since Desiree Ellis took charge in 2016. Meanwhile, Morocco’s triumph also guarantees their qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Defensive lapses cost South Africa dear

Morocco had entered the match as the only team yet to concede a single goal in the tournament. The Lionesses were determined to maintain this record, but the game struggled to ignite in the early stages. South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana forced the first save from Khadija Errmichi in the 14^th minute, but it was Morocco who broke the deadlock. Sakina Ouzraoui latched onto a cross from Hanane Ait El Haj to volley home from close range (1-0, 32^nd minute).

The Atlas Lionesses took a slender lead into the break, but it quickly became a two-goal cushion. Fikile Magama fouled Ghizlane Chebbak inside the box, allowing Ait El Haj to slot home from the spot—her second assist of the game (2-0, 50^th minute). South Africa pulled a goal back through Magama’s strike (2-1, 67^th minute), but Morocco’s defense held firm under mounting pressure. The Lionesses will now face Algeria in the semi-finals after the latter defeated Nigeria 2-1 earlier in the evening.

The road to the final continues for Morocco.

Morocco (4-2-3-1): Errmichi – Ait El Haj, Atiq, Benzina, Redouani – Mrabet, Nakkach – Ouzraoui (Saoud, 90⁺³), Chebbak (Badri, 57^th), Tagnaout (Jraidi, 74^th) – Mssoudy. Head coach: Jorge Vilda.

South Africa (4-3-3): Swart – Magama, Mbane, Gamede, Dhlamini – Motau (Moodaly, 58^th), Jane, Molthalo (Donnelly, 84^th) – Cesane (Ramalepe, 73^rd), Kgatlana, Magaia. Head coach: Desiree Ellis.