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Morocco and Algeria secured places in the semi-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and qualified for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil after winning their respective quarter-final matches on Saturday.
Hosts Morocco defeated defending champions South Africa 2-1 in Rabat, while Algeria came from behind to beat Ivory Coast by the same score in Casablanca.
Morocco took control early, opening the scoring after 31 minutes through Sakina Ouzraoui, who netted her second goal of the tournament.
Hanane Ait El Haj doubled Morocco’s advantage six minutes into the second half by converting a penalty.
South Africa responded through Thembi Kgatlana in the 67th minute, setting up a tense finish, but Morocco held on to secure victory.
Algeria also had to fight back after Ines Konan put Ivory Coast ahead in the 29th minute.
The Ivorians were reduced to 10 players before half-time when 18-year-old N’Sira Ouedraogo was sent off for kicking Algeria goalkeeper Chloe N’Gazi in the face.
Algeria capitalised on the numerical advantage, with substitute Ines Khiri and Amira Braham scoring within six minutes of each other around the hour mark to turn the match around.
Ivory Coast had an opportunity to restore their lead between Algeria’s two goals, but Rebecca Elloh hit the post from the penalty spot.
Algeria, who had barely threatened in the first half, dominated after the break and created several chances to extend their lead.
Morocco will face either defending champions Nigeria or Cameroon in Wednesday’s semi-final, while Algeria will take on either Ghana or Malawi.
The qualification of both teams means North Africa will have two representatives at the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
No North African team has previously won the continent’s premier women’s football tournament. Nigeria remains the dominant force in the competition with 10 titles, while Equatorial Guinea have won twice and South Africa once.
