On the Road to Glory: Morocco Face Ghana, South Africa Reignite Rivalry with Nigeria
On Tuesday, two high-stakes semifinals take center stage, Morocco vs Ghana at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat and South Africa vs Nigeria in the cauldron of Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca.
Morocco vs Ghana: Ambition Meets Determination
Three years ago, Morocco reached the final on home soil, reigniting national pride in women's football. In 2025, the Atlas Lionesses have matured, stronger and more composed. With a packed Olympic Stadium behind them, Jorge Vilda's side has shown new-found maturity. Their 3-1 quarterfinal win over Mali, powered by an Ibtissam Jraïdi brace, reinforced their momentum. 'This team knows how to endure and strike at the right time. There's chemistry, there's soul,' said Vilda post-match.
However, a different challenge awaits. Ghana has maintained relentless intensity throughout the tournament. The Black Queens, led by goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan, hero of their penalty shootout win against Algeria (0-0, 4-2 on penalties)—are a team on a mission. Head coach Kim Björkegren has been clear: 'This team has been underestimated for too long. We want to shake things up.'
In the group stage, Ghana emerged from a tough pool with South Africa, Mali, and Tanzania, conceding just two goals and finishing with four points. They've since ridden a wave of self-belief, exemplified by playmaker Alice Kusi and the energetic Chantelle Boye—a mix of experience and fierce ambition.
Statistically, Morocco boasts one of the tournament's best attacks (10 goals in four matches), while Ghana holds the best defensive record (only two goals conceded). The matchup is finely balanced. Home advantage might tilt the scales, but Ghana remains unfazed. 'Playing the host nation is exciting, not pressure,' Kusi smiled.
South Africa vs Nigeria: A Final Before the Final
This is a classic rivalry, one etched into the very fabric of the CAF TotalEnergies Women's AFCON. Nigeria has impressed with its discipline: three group wins, four goals scored, none conceded, and a commanding 5-0 quarterfinal demolition of Zambia. Within a cohesive squad, full-back Michelle Alozie and midfielder Rasheedat Ajibade have stood out, while Esther Okoronkwo, the tournament's top assist provider with three, continues to rise.
On the other side, Desiree Ellis has instilled her methodical approach. South Africa faced hurdles but endured. After a 1-1 group draw with Tanzania, they edged Senegal on penalties (0-0, 4-1) in the quarterfinals, thanks to the brilliance of goalkeeper Andile Dlamini.
Still, there's more to this team than meets the eye. Jermaine Seoposenwe, Hildah Magaia, and Lebogang Ramalepe are all capable of turning the game on its head. The possession-heavy style that once seemed toothless now looks sharper, and the squad seems to be reliving the spirit of their 2022 triumph. 'There's a fire, a collective memory. We know what this match means. We know what it takes to beat Nigeria,' Ellis insisted.
By the numbers, Nigeria dominates most categories: best attack (nine goals), best defense (no goals conceded). However, their most recent meeting in the CAF Women's AFCON ended in a 2-1 victory for South Africa.
The final four of this 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations encapsulates everything promising about African women's football. Morocco dreams of its first title. Ghana seeks a return to glory. South Africa eyes back-to-back crowns. Nigeria is out to remind everyone who's boss.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CAF
2 days ago
- CAF
Asantewaa magic leads Ghana to coveted WAFCON semis
Under the scorching sun at the Berkane Stadium on Saturday evening, Ghanaian midfielder Grace Asantewaa's influence stretched across the pitch in a masterful performance that inspired the Black Queens to their first TotalEnergies WAFCON semifinals since 2016. Nine years of waiting – impatiently. Asantewaa, who was in the squad at the 2018 edition at home that failed to make it out of the group stages, has found redemption. Finally. It has been a long journey of doubt, hope then doubt, and back to hope. Amidst it all, a love for Ghana. 'I am very, very, very happy. I have been preparing for this. Ghanaians have been preparing for this. We had to kill ourselves. It is time for us to win this WAFCON. And also, as an individual I want to win this WAFCON. I want my name to be in the history books in Ghana, in Africa and the world. I am very happy, and I know that Ghanaians are happy,' Asantewaa explains with an ear-to-ear smile while squinting her eyes. Redemption ticked off to-do-list The matchup against Algeria in the third quarterfinal was personal. She remembers the pain – emotionally, physically and psychologically of failing to make it to the knockout stages seven years ago. The backlash was brutal. The impact across the board felt like many in Ghana stepped away from the team including those who would have been the go-to support. But like they say, 'good things take time'. Asantewaa remembers wanting to give up. 'I wanted to leave football. It was very tough. But my friends told me not to give up. My family too said they will support me no matter the case. And because of that I continued playing football. I continued preparing for our return to the WAFCON. Honestly, this feels really good. I'm happy.' Like the great Queen Asantewaa of the Ashanti Empire [modern day Ghana], who was known to be a war leader that commanded Ashanti Kings in the War of the Golden Stool fighting to defend and protect the sovereignty of her people, Grace directed the Black Queens midfield and controlled the game therein throughout regular and extra time. At some point, it looked like an orchestra. The conductor in her, dictated the frequency of the game, weaving passes in tandem with Jennifer Cudjoe. Asantewaa was not only relentless without the ball, but she also shaped Ghana's approach against a stubborn and solid Algerian team that had not conceded a goal in the tournament. Midfield Engine and Choir Leader With the ball, she threaded passes upfront, to the wings, pushed forward to the 18-yard box while constantly getting involved in the communication between the defense and the offense. Asantewaa was relentless. Her heat map will impress many a game analyst. Ghana head coach Kim Lars Björkegren is in cloud nine after this performance, 'She has been stepping up in every game that we have been playing. It seems that if a game is more important, she is going to play even better. That's really important for us. Both her and Cudjoe worked so hard. Normally, for a central midfielder, you cannot play 90 minutes or 120 minutes in a quarterfinal, but I couldn't take out those two because they kept going and they did it so well especially Grace.' The goalless draw motivated their resolve in the penalty shootout with Josephine Bonsu, Doris Boaduwaa, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, and Evelyn Badu converting from the spot to ensure a 4-2 deserved victory for the Black Queens. Ghana, who have now been involved in two penalty shootouts at the WAFCON, have won both. The result also means that the Black Queens have won three of their four games at the WAFCON to have gone to extra time. Semifinals unlocked Ghana have now reached their seventh WAFCON semifinal and will meet hosts Morocco at the grandeur Olympic Stadium in the capital Rabat on Tuesday, July 22 at 8pm (local time). 'We have done a very good job. We are going to the semifinals. We are not ending here. We are taking this mentality to the semifinals. I know for sure that we are going to win the trophy,' says the elated Asantewaa who cannot stop looking at the sky as if to thank the universe. Asantewaa is one of four players that had featured at the WAFCON prior to this edition and wants to inspire Ghana to the final. The Black Queens have reached the WAFCON final three times in the past – 1998, 2002 and 2006, losing to archrivals Nigeria on all occasions.
CAF
2 days ago
- CAF
On the Road to Glory: Morocco Face Ghana, South Africa Reignite Rivalry with Nigeria
Only four teams remain. The group stage filtered the hopefuls, the quarterfinals tightened the field, and now the elite stand tall. The final four of the CAF TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2024 showcases the continent's finest, a host nation propelled by a rare wave of home support, a Ghanaian side on a mission, the reigning champions still standing, and the historical giant with an unmatched pedigree. On Tuesday, two high-stakes semifinals take center stage, Morocco vs Ghana at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat and South Africa vs Nigeria in the cauldron of Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca. Morocco vs Ghana: Ambition Meets Determination Three years ago, Morocco reached the final on home soil, reigniting national pride in women's football. In 2025, the Atlas Lionesses have matured, stronger and more composed. With a packed Olympic Stadium behind them, Jorge Vilda's side has shown new-found maturity. Their 3-1 quarterfinal win over Mali, powered by an Ibtissam Jraïdi brace, reinforced their momentum. 'This team knows how to endure and strike at the right time. There's chemistry, there's soul,' said Vilda post-match. However, a different challenge awaits. Ghana has maintained relentless intensity throughout the tournament. The Black Queens, led by goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan, hero of their penalty shootout win against Algeria (0-0, 4-2 on penalties)—are a team on a mission. Head coach Kim Björkegren has been clear: 'This team has been underestimated for too long. We want to shake things up.' In the group stage, Ghana emerged from a tough pool with South Africa, Mali, and Tanzania, conceding just two goals and finishing with four points. They've since ridden a wave of self-belief, exemplified by playmaker Alice Kusi and the energetic Chantelle Boye—a mix of experience and fierce ambition. Statistically, Morocco boasts one of the tournament's best attacks (10 goals in four matches), while Ghana holds the best defensive record (only two goals conceded). The matchup is finely balanced. Home advantage might tilt the scales, but Ghana remains unfazed. 'Playing the host nation is exciting, not pressure,' Kusi smiled. South Africa vs Nigeria: A Final Before the Final This is a classic rivalry, one etched into the very fabric of the CAF TotalEnergies Women's AFCON. Nigeria has impressed with its discipline: three group wins, four goals scored, none conceded, and a commanding 5-0 quarterfinal demolition of Zambia. Within a cohesive squad, full-back Michelle Alozie and midfielder Rasheedat Ajibade have stood out, while Esther Okoronkwo, the tournament's top assist provider with three, continues to rise. On the other side, Desiree Ellis has instilled her methodical approach. South Africa faced hurdles but endured. After a 1-1 group draw with Tanzania, they edged Senegal on penalties (0-0, 4-1) in the quarterfinals, thanks to the brilliance of goalkeeper Andile Dlamini. Still, there's more to this team than meets the eye. Jermaine Seoposenwe, Hildah Magaia, and Lebogang Ramalepe are all capable of turning the game on its head. The possession-heavy style that once seemed toothless now looks sharper, and the squad seems to be reliving the spirit of their 2022 triumph. 'There's a fire, a collective memory. We know what this match means. We know what it takes to beat Nigeria,' Ellis insisted. By the numbers, Nigeria dominates most categories: best attack (nine goals), best defense (no goals conceded). However, their most recent meeting in the CAF Women's AFCON ended in a 2-1 victory for South Africa. The final four of this 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations encapsulates everything promising about African women's football. Morocco dreams of its first title. Ghana seeks a return to glory. South Africa eyes back-to-back crowns. Nigeria is out to remind everyone who's boss.
CAF
2 days ago
- CAF
Ghana edge Algeria in penalty drama to reach TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON Semi-Finals
Ghana secured their place in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations after a dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Algeria, following a goalless draw after extra time at Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca. The highly anticipated quarter-final clash was a tense and tactical affair, with both sides showing defensive resilience but unable to find the breakthrough in 120 minutes of play. Ghana thought they had taken the lead midway through the first half when Stella Nyamekye found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review. Despite several efforts from the likes of Doris Boaduwaa, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, and Evelyn Badu, the Black Queens were denied by a spirited Algerian backline and goalkeeper Chloé N'Gazi. Algeria, playing with determination and energy, also created chances, particularly through Ghoutia Karchouni and Marine Dafeur, but Cynthia Konlan in Ghana's goal stood firm, making crucial saves during regular time and extra time. With the match heading to penalties, it was Ghana who held their nerve from the spot. Cynthia Konlan emerged as the hero, saving efforts from Marine Dafeur and Inès Belloumou to give her side the edge in the shootout. Josephine Bonsu, Doris Boaduwaa, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, and Evelyn Badu all converted for Ghana, while Sofia Guellati and Laura Muller were successful for Algeria. Konlan's heroics ensured a 4-2 win on penalties and booked Ghana a place in the final four. Penalty Shootout Summary: Josephine Bonsu – Goal (GHA) Sofia Guellati – Goal (ALG) Doris Boaduwaa – Goal (GHA) Marine Dafeur – Saved (ALG) Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah – Goal (GHA) Inès Belloumou – Saved (ALG) Laura Muller – Goal (ALG) Evelyn Badu – Goal (GHA) Ghana will now face the winner of the Nigeria vs. South Africa quarter-final in what promises to be another thrilling encounter as they continue their quest for continental glory.
