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CNA
2 hours ago
- Sport
- CNA
Hosts Morocco to take on Nigeria in African women's final
RABAT :Morocco and Nigeria will meet on Saturday to decide the Women's Africa Cup of Nations after both came through gritty semi-final encounters on Tuesday. Hosts Morocco edged Ghana on penalties at Rabat's Stade Olympique while earlier Nigeria ended the reign of defending champions South Africa with a last-gasp 2-1 victory in their clash in Casablanca. Michelle Alozie's floating free kick was missed by both the onrushing Nigerian attacker and the South African goalkeeper and floated into the net for the winner four minutes into stoppage time. Rasheedat Ajibade had given nine-time winners Nigeria the lead from the penalty-spot on the stroke of halftime, before South Africa struck back with a spotkick of their own in the 60th minute, converted by Linda Motlhalo. Just as it seemed extra time would be needed, Alozie floated a cross deep into the box that beat South Africa goalkeeper Andile Dlamini who was under pressure from two Nigerian forwards. Ghana had not been given much chance against Morocco, who were supported by a capacity crowd, but took a 26th-minute lead through Stella Nyameke. Morocco came back to equalise after halftime through Sakina Ouzraoui and then won 4-2 on penalties after extra and South Africa will decide third place in Casablanca on Friday with the final in Rabat on Saturday. The tournament was originally set for last year but postponed because it clashed with the women's soccer tournament at the Paris Olympics. The next Women's Cup of Nations is scheduled to be played in Morocco again next year.


Reuters
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Hosts Morocco to take on Nigeria in African women's final
RABAT, July 22 (Reuters) - Morocco and Nigeria will meet on Saturday to decide the Women's Africa Cup of Nations after both came through gritty semi-final encounters on Tuesday. Hosts Morocco edged Ghana on penalties at Rabat's Stade Olympique while earlier Nigeria ended the reign of defending champions South Africa with a last-gasp 2-1 victory in their clash in Casablanca. Michelle Alozie's floating free kick was missed by both the onrushing Nigerian attacker and the South African goalkeeper and floated into the net for the winner four minutes into stoppage time. Rasheedat Ajibade had given nine-time winners Nigeria the lead from the penalty-spot on the stroke of halftime, before South Africa struck back with a spotkick of their own in the 60th minute, converted by Linda Motlhalo. Just as it seemed extra time would be needed, Alozie floated a cross deep into the box that beat South Africa goalkeeper Andile Dlamini who was under pressure from two Nigerian forwards. Ghana had not been given much chance against Morocco, who were supported by a capacity crowd, but took a 26th-minute lead through Stella Nyameke. Morocco came back to equalise after halftime through Sakina Ouzraoui and then won 4-2 on penalties after extra time. Ghana and South Africa will decide third place in Casablanca on Friday with the final in Rabat on Saturday. The tournament was originally set for last year but postponed because it clashed with the women's soccer tournament at the Paris Olympics. The next Women's Cup of Nations is scheduled to be played in Morocco again next year.


Associated Press
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Host Morocco reaches final of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations after penalty shootout with Ghana
RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi blocked Comfort Yeboah's attempt and host Morocco advanced to the championship of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations on a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw with Ghana on Tuesday. Morocco, which prevailed 4-2 on penalties, will face Nigeria in the final Saturday. The Super Falcons defeated defending champions South Africa 2-1 in the earlier semifinal Tuesday in Casablanca. Ghana took a first-half lead. Er-Rmichi got a hand on Josephine Bonsu's header but it bounced off the post and skittered across the goal for Stella Nyamekye to push it into the net in the 26th minute. Morocco equalized in the 55th when Sakina Ouzraoui bounced a pass from her chest to her feet and scored from underneath diving Ghana goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan. Scoreless for the rest of regulation, the match went to extra time at Rabat's Olympic Stadium. Morocco has seen its national team rise in recent years. The team reached the WAFCON final in 2022 but fell to South Africa. Morocco also went to the Women's World Cup for the first time in 2023 and advanced to the round of 16. Morocco advanced to the semifinals with a 3-1 victory over Mali, while Ghana downed Algeria 4-2 on penalties after a scoreless draw. ___ AP soccer:

Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Host Morocco reaches final of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations after penalty shootout with Ghana
RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi blocked Comfort Yeboah's attempt and host Morocco advanced to the championship of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations on a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw with Ghana on Tuesday. Morocco, which prevailed 4-2 on penalties, will face Nigeria in the final Saturday. The Super Falcons defeated defending champions South Africa 2-1 in the earlier semifinal Tuesday in Casablanca. Advertisement Ghana took a first-half lead. Er-Rmichi got a hand on Josephine Bonsu's header but it bounced off the post and skittered across the goal for Stella Nyamekye to push it into the net in the 26th minute. Morocco equalized in the 55th when Sakina Ouzraoui bounced a pass from her chest to her feet and scored from underneath diving Ghana goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan. Scoreless for the rest of regulation, the match went to extra time at Rabat's Olympic Stadium. Morocco has seen its national team rise in recent years. The team reached the WAFCON final in 2022 but fell to South Africa. Morocco also went to the Women's World Cup for the first time in 2023 and advanced to the round of 16. Morocco advanced to the semifinals with a 3-1 victory over Mali, while Ghana downed Algeria 4-2 on penalties after a scoreless draw. ___ AP soccer:


BBC News
3 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Hosts Morocco into Wafcon final after shootout win over Ghana
Hosts Morocco will face Nigeria in the final of the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) after beating Ghana 4-2 in a penalty shootout at the Olympic Stadium in game finished 1-1 after 90 minutes and neither side could break the deadlock in extra Badu struck Ghana's third penalty wide and, with Morocco maintaining a perfect record from the spot, the pressure was too much for 18-year-old Comfort Yeboah who saw her effort saved by the diving Khadija game had started very differently for the Black Queens, who were the better side in the first half and took the lead in the 26th minute through Stella came to life after the break and found their equaliser through winger Sakina Ouzraoui 10 minutes into the second result means the Atlas Lionesses will contest a second consecutive final on home soil, looking to lift the Wafcon trophy for the first time and deny Nigeria a record-extending 10th title.