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Morocco World
3 days ago
- Sport
- Morocco World
Morocco vs. Senegal: Time, Stakes, and Where to Watch Tonight's WAFCON Showdown
Rabat –All eyes will be on tonight Rabat's Stade Olympique as hosts Morocco face Senegal in a crucial Group A match at the Women's African Cup of Nations ( WAFCON ) 2025. Kick-off is set for 8:00 PM local time, with the stakes high for both sides in this third and final group stage fixture. The Atlas Lionesses , lifted by their home supporters, need just a draw to book their place in the next round. Sitting atop Group A with four points, level with Zambia but ahead on goal difference, a win tonight would see them clinch first place and potentially set up a more favorable quarterfinal tie. For Senegal, the mission is clear: only a win keeps them in contention. Currently third in the group with three points, the Lionesses of Teranga are determined to upset the hosts and keep their WAFCON campaign alive. The two sides have met before, most notably last October when Morocco dominated Senegal 7–0 in a friendly. But both teams insist that this result belongs in the past. 'That match helped us identify our weaknesses,' said Sadiqatou Diallo, Senegal's U20 captain who has since graduated to the senior squad. 'We've worked hard since then, and this is a completely different context.' Read also: WAFCON 2024: Morocco Dominates DR Congo 4-2 Moroccan midfielder Sakina Ouzraoui also cautioned against underestimating Senegal. 'It won't be the same game. We've seen what Senegal achieved against DR Congo and Zambia. They're a disciplined team with quality and determination,' she noted. Morocco coach Jorge Vilda is focused on staying true to his side's identity. 'We won't change our style. We have our model, and the players are motivated to deliver a strong performance,' he said. Morocco have impressed offensively in the tournament, scoring five goals in their first two matches, though their defensive solidity remains a work in progress. Senegal, meanwhile, showed resilience and attacking flair in their narrow 3–2 loss to Zambia, earning praise for the performances of Nguenar Ndiaye and Mama Diop. The match will be broadcast live on Arryadia, available on its terrestrial network (TNT). It is also expected to air on beIN Sports 3 (in Arabic) and Canal+ Sport. In addition, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) may stream the game on its official YouTube channel (CAF TV), offering fans around the world another way to watch. Will Morocco secure their place as group winners on home soil, or will Senegal rise to the challenge and extend their tournament run? Don't miss what promises to be a thrilling encounter. Tags: Moroccomorocco wafconwafcon 2025
CAF
3 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
Morocco - Senegal: A decisive clash for a place in the quarterfinals
This Saturday, Morocco and Senegal meet for a decisive clash in Group A of the Women's African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024, at the Stade Olympique in Rabat. Buoyed by a supportive crowd, the Atlas Lionesses need only a draw to secure their place in the quarterfinals. On the other side, the Senegalese are playing for something bigger: a victory, and the doors to the next round will be within reach. A tense, evenly matched duel between two nations looking to make their mark in this edition. Revenge for a 7-0? Last October, Morocco swept Senegal aside 7-0 in a friendly match. But neither coach Mame Moussa Cissé nor his player Sadiqatou Diallo intend to make this memory a burden: "That match allowed us to identify our weaknesses. Since then, we've worked hard. It will be a different context," explained the U20 captain, now promoted to the senior team. It is a way of saying that the page has been turned, that any scores, if any, will be settled differently: through intensity, organization and collective effort. The Moroccan team is equally cautious: "It won't be the same match. We saw what Senegal achieved against DR Congo and Zambia. They're a well-organized team, with quality and desire," acknowledged Sakina Ouzraoui, a brilliant player in the Moroccan midfield. A tactical and mental battle The Senegalese coach emphasized mental preparation: "Our team's identity is based on individual responsibility and collective commitment. The girls know they will have to raise their game." A challenge made more demanding by the fact that they will face two opponents: the Moroccan team and their home crowd. "That's what makes this type of match even more exciting," smiled Cissé. "We love this atmosphere. And there's a strong Senegalese community here." On the Moroccan side, coach Jorge Vilda highlighted the experience: "We've been preparing for this competition for over two months. Physically, thanks to the medical staff, we're ready." The Spanish coach acknowledged that Senegal had improved: "They're a cohesive team, capable of surprising players. We'll have to be ready." Morocco seeks confidence, Senegal on the rebound Morocco leads Group A with four points, ahead of Zambia (four points) and Senegal (three points). A victory would secure them first place and, potentially, a more 'decent' quarterfinal. Vilda wants to remain true to his game plan: "We won't change our identity. We have our model, and the players are motivated to deliver a successful performance." With five goals scored in two matches and above-average technical prowess, the Atlas Lionesses are formidable but still have room for improvement defensively. Contrarily, Senegal put on a solid front against Zambia (3-2), despite the defeat. "We saw a team that has grown in strength, that has managed to cause problems for a strong African team," analyzed Mame Moussa Cissé. Nguenar Ndiaye's performance up front and Mama Diop's activity were praised. At the final whistle, two ambitions Between Morocco and Senegal, the stakes go beyond simple qualification. It is about proving that progress is not measured solely by the score in a previous friendly, but rather by the ability to reinvent oneself, to stand up to adversity, and to overcome pressure.
