The match came up tough but hosts nation, Morocco braved the odds to book a place in their second successive Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final after beating Ghana 4-2 on penalties in Rabat on Tuesday night.
Holding their nerves when it mattered most in the tense semi-final clash that ended 1-1 after extra time, the Atlas Lionesses’ goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi made a crucial save with two Ghanaian players missing, to seal a place in Saturday’s final against Nigeria’s Super Falcons.
The fiercely contested match at Stade Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, saw the Black Queens drawing the first blood in the 26th minute through midfielder Stella Nyamekye who pounced on a loose ball inside the box off a corner kick to fire past Er-Rmichi.
Taking a deserved lead, the goal capped a bright start for Kim Björkegren’s side, who looked more composed and energetic in the opening half. They created several dangerous chances through Doris Boaduwaa, Princess Marfo and Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah.
However, the Moroccans responded with increased urgency after the break as the home crowd roared them on. Their efforts were rewarded in the 55th minute when Sakina Ouzraoui Diki bundled the ball into the net from close range after sustained pressure and a deflected effort from Ibtissam Jraïdi.
The equaliser energised the Atlas Lionesses, who began to dominate possession, but the Black Queens remained dangerous on the counter, with Princella Adubea and Alice Kusi coming close late in the game.
Both sides had chances to win it in normal time, but neither could find a breakthrough with the extra time offering more drama as fatigue set in.
Injuries forced both sides to make multiple substitutions, with Morocco’s Fatima Tagnaout and Ghana’s Princella Adubea needing treatment.
Black Queens’ Evelyn Badu missed a glorious chance in the 100th minute, heading wide from close range, while her colleague’s speculative long-range effort in the final minutes went just over the bar.
As the deadlock remained unresolved after 120 minutes, penalties were ultimately required to determine which of the two African powerhouses will make it to the final.
In the process, Morocco’s nerve held firm. Hanane Aït El Haj, Ibtissam Jraïdi, Kenza Chapelle, and Anissa Lahmari converted their spot-kicks, while Ghana missed twice, as Evelyn Badu fired wide and Comfort Yeboah saw her effort saved by Er-Rmichi.
Expectedly, the referee’s final whistle triggered wild celebrations among the Moroccan players and fans as Jorge Vilda’s team reached the final for the second tournament running.
This well-deserved victory continues Morocco’s dream of lifting their first-ever WAFCON title on home soil.
However, left to rue their missed opportunities on the night, the Ghana’s Black Queens still have an opportunity to end the tournament with a medal when they battle South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in Friday’s third-place playoff.
