- Seal Women’s World Cup qualifications
- Morocco oust hard-fighting South Africa 2-1
- As Algeria beat Côte d’Ivoire 2-1 in comeback victory
Hosts Morocco and their North African neighbours, Algeria have booked their places in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026.
Both nations achieved hard-fought 2-1 victories over their opponents on Saturday night. While the Moroccans overcame former champions South Africa, Algeria came from a goal down to beat Cote d’Ivoire.
The victories not only send the North Africans into the last four of the continental showpiece but also secures their qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.
Against South Africa, the Atlas Lionesses 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.
Bayana Bayana 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.
The breakthrough arrived in the 31st minute when Sakina Ouzraoui produced a sublime first-time finish to register her second goal of the tournament. The forward reacted quickest inside the area to guide her effort beyond Kaylin Swart and hand the hosts a deserved lead before the break.
Morocco doubled their advantage six minutes after the restart when Hanane Aït El Haj calmly converted from the penalty spot after South Africa were adjudged to have committed a foul inside the area.
Trailing by two goals, Banyana Banyana increased the intensity and were rewarded in the 67th minute. Thembi Kgatlana showcased her attacking quality, breaking in from the left before unleashing a fierce strike that reduced the deficit and set up a tense finish.
South Africa continued to push forward in search of an equaliser, applying sustained pressure on the Moroccan defence. However, the hosts remained organised and disciplined at the back, limiting clear-cut opportunities despite the mounting pressure.
When the final whistle sounded, it was Morocco who emerged 2-1 winners to continue their impressive tournament run.
The victory sees the hosts advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for Wednesday, 12 August, while also securing a coveted place at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.
Algeria Book Historic Women’s World Cup Place
In the first quarter-finals match of the day, it was second-half goals from Ines Khiri and Amira Ould Braham overturned an early deficit after Ines Konan had given Côte d’Ivoire the lead.
The victory not only ended Algeria’s long wait for a place among Africa’s last four in the continental competition for the first time in their history, but also secured qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, where the four semi-finalists from Morocco 2026 automatically earn Africa’s direct qualification places.
For Farid Benstiti’s side, it was the perfect response to last year’s quarter-final heartbreak, when they were eliminated by Ghana on penalties after a goalless draw.
While the Fennecs celebrated automatic qualification for Brazil 2027, Côte d’Ivoire’s World Cup hopes remain alive despite the defeat.
Under the expanded qualification system, the four losing quarter-finalists will contest an African play-off, with the two winners progressing to the FIFA Women’s World Cup inter-confederation play-offs.
Those two nations will have one final opportunity to secure places at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and increase Africa’s representation on the global stage.
