Latest news with #WAFCON
Morocco World
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Morocco World
Morocco Secures WAFCON Quarterfinal Spot with 1-0 Win Against Senegal
Rabat – Morocco defeated Senegal to reach the quarter-finals of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), currently taking place in Morocco. Morocco strengthened its position with a well-deserved victory tonight against Senegal. The Atlas Lionesses have been dominating the ball with ball possession and attempts, but were unable to score their first goal until through a penalty before the end of the first half of the game. Yassmine Mrabet scored the first goal for the Atlas Lionesses in the 45th game. The penalty came after a violent incident in the box, where Aziza Rabbah was struck in the face by the Senegalese goalkeeper's elbow. After a VAR review confirmed the foul, the referee ultimately decided to grant Morocco a penalty. The Atlas Lionesses delivered a dominant and persistent performance, with Chebbak leading a determined squad that controlled much of the game. The Atlas Lionesses missed at least four clear chances to score. Morocco ended their first phase of the competition with seven points. Morocco's campaign began dramatically, with the Atlas Lionesses trailing in the first half of their opening match against Zambia. However, the Lionesses showed resilience and bounced back with two goals, ending the match in a 2-2 draw. In their second matchday against DR Congo, Morocco won 4-2. Morocco is hosting the Women's Africa Cup of Nations for the second time in a row, with the 2024 edition running from 5 to 26 July. The Atlas Lionesses, runners-up in 2022 on home soil, return this year with eyes on the prize. The development of women's football in Morocco has been remarkable in recent years. King Mohammed VI has personally invested in the sport's growth and aims to transform it from the grassroots up, in the hope of positioning the country as a leader across Africa. Clubs such as AS FAR and FUS Rabat are at the forefront, with more teams launching women's sections in response to growing demand. This WAFCON stands to inspire a new generation of Moroccan girls to take football seriously. Aymen Alami contributed to this report.
Morocco World
16 hours 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
The Citizen
a day ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Ellis hails Banyana after strong comeback against Tanzania
'We said before the match that no game is easy," said the Banyana coach. Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis was full of praise for her charges after they came from behind to rescue a point against Tanzania in their CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) clash at Honneur Stadium in Ouja on Friday night. Tanzania took the 1-0 lead through captain Opa Clement Tukumbuke in the 24th minute before Bambanani Mbane equalised with a header in the 70th minute to make sure that the defending champions walked away with a point. ALSO READ: Banyana held to a draw by Tanzania in WAFCON clash The draw saw Banyana retaining their spot at the top of Group C, level on four points with Mali who played to a 1-1 draw against Ghana in the other group match played earlier on Friday. Tanzania and Ghana are third and fourth respectively with a single point apiece. 'We said before the match that no game is easy, we saw how Nigeria scored in the last minute, that's how difficult the games are going to be, but you have to take your chances. We felt if we got the three points we would go through to the next round already, but it was not to be, there is still some more work to be done,' Ellis told SAFA media. 'There is no easy team anymore, they hadn't picked up any points, we knew they needed to win at all costs and they came with a plan, made us play like a team under pressure when we were not under pressure, playing into their hands at times with the long ball, but still there is all to play for in the group,' she added. Ellis made four changes to the starting line-up, bringing on Kaylin Swart for Andile Dlamini, while the trio of Lonathemba Mhlongo, Siyabulela Holweni and Kgaelebane Mohlakoana came on for Tiisetso Makhubela, Amogelang Motau and Lebohang Ramalepe respectively. The move almost backfired for her because Swart looked jittery in goal and was partly at fault for Tanzania's goal. Banyana 'good enough' to get positive result Ellis, however, believes that the team she assembled was good enough to get a result from this game. 'We had a good enough team to get a result, they scored early, and we had a chance to score before they could – we didn't put it away, it is the nature of the game. We didn't get the result we wanted but we are still in it. 'I thought the comeback was good, we could have won it as we had a couple of chances, but that's how the game goes. This team has shown they have the grit; they have the courage and the resilience to fight back and get the result that we deserve.' Banyana will face Mali in their final group match on Monday and the defending champions need a point from this encounter to reach the quarterfinals of the WAFCON.
CAF
a day ago
- Sport
- CAF
Zambia - DR Congo: A clash of opposing ambitions to close Group A
Zambia and DR Congo are preparing to face each other for the first time in the finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). This duel, scheduled for Saturday evening at the El Bachir Stadium in Mohammedia (8:00 pm local time), will be the final game of Group A. For the Copper Queens, the stakes are clear: secure their spot in the quarterfinals and, if possible, finish first. For the Congolese, it is all about securing their first victory. Zambia full of confidence The Copper Queens are approaching this match with confidence. "We are ready. We want to finish top of the group. The match against DR Congo is an opportunity to conclude this first chapter in this competition," said coach Nora Häuptle at a press conference. The stunning 3-2 victory against Senegal, achieved after coming from behind, reinforced their confidence: "We got off to a poor start, but the next 70 minutes were very solid. Our transitions hurt." This is the first time Zambia has won a WAFCON match after conceding the opening goal. They also have a six-match unbeaten run in the group stage (three wins, three draws). It is worth noting that Zambia has never lost their third group match in the final phase. DR Congo: Progress to be solidified "We're still in the race to win a match and go out with honours," insisted coach Hervé Happy. Despite the two defeats, the Congolese coach emphasized the progress made: "Against Morocco, the spirit and organization were very good. We showed that the team is capable of producing good play." Tactically, the switch to a 3-5-2 formation with a low block seems to have stabilized the team: "We're able to attack very quickly on the counterattack, thanks to the speed of our forwards." The downside remains the defense, with six goals conceded in two matches. Managing Absences in Zambia Grace Chanda's suspension is a blow. "She's an exceptional player, but she's coming back from a long-term injury. Missing this match will allow her to recover," Häuptle clarified. Mata Tembo, back, should provide defensive solidity. A Contrasting Style Zambia plays a game of rapid transitions, relying on the verticality and explosiveness of their attacking leaders. The DRC, for their part, seek to defend as a block and surprise on the counterattack. Häuptle is wary: "DR Congo have robust forwards and skilled midfielders. They're a team on the rise." The stakes of the match For Zambia: first place in the group is within reach. A win combined with a draw for Morocco would see them finish top. A draw could be enough to qualify, but with the risk of finishing second. For the DRC: even without hope of qualifying, the goal is to finish on a positive note, avoid a third defeat, and above all, send a strong message: the team is progressing, and the future is full of hope. This third matchday of Group A promises a clash between Zambian confidence and Congolese pride. While the standings clearly favour the Copper Queens, the DRC have shown that they are capable of responding and delivering uninhibited football. This is what the Mohammedia crowd expects: a final act played with intensity and dignity between two neighbouring countries.
CAF
a day ago
- Sport
- CAF
Saloum happier than Björkegren after draw
One shot on target. One goal. Talk about efficiency. Mali are cruising at the ongoing TotalEnergies WAFCON in Morocco. Les Aigles Dames have collected four deserved points from a possible six in a tough Group C, and they have zero complaints until this point. Head coach Mohamed Saloum 'Housseï' is going about his business quietly – executing one game at a time and the fans in Morocco, those back home and around the world are content with the way things are turning out. One by one makes a bundle Semifinalists in the 2018 edition, Mali are targeting the same feat or even better. So far, they look like this is an achievable goal. They are hungry every time they walk onto the pitch. Even when things are not going in their favour, they stay hopeful. And that is exactly what happened on Friday against three-time WAFCON finalists Ghana in a proper West African derby. The Black Queens dominated the first half including taking a 1-0 lead thanks to an Alice Kusi goal in the sixth minute, but tables turned in the second half when Saloum's side engaged another gear – pressed up high, found spaces and came at Ghana until they found an equalizer thanks to Aissata Traore. 'This evening, the beginning of the match was tough for us. The Ghanaians really gave us a lot of problems but at halftime, I gave our players motivation. I told the players to seize the opportunity. We want to qualify. I must say that the players were nervous. We had to get them back into the game. They understood. They are really fighters. They did fight and we got the point. It was a hard-fought point indeed,' Saloum explained in detail after the game. 'You cannot control everything in a football game. Tactically and technically, as coaches we can plan for the game but at some point, we have to explain to the players what is at stake. We are representing Mali. It is not good to leave the field and make Malians sad. We want to make them happy. This is our sole goal.' This is the second consecutive victory for Saloum against Ghana having edged them 2-1 at the 2018 edition in Accra, a year after he was given the reigns. Mali has now scored in seven consecutive group games at the WAFCON, their longest scoring streak in group play. This was also Mali's 25th WAFCON game and what a way to celebrate this feat! Ghana's woes continue Tournament football can be brutal. You blink and your fate is no longer in your hands. The Black Queens find themselves in dire straits with a point from two games and sitting at the bottom of Group C heading into the last match of the group stages. Once again, Ghana's statistics look good after the final whistle, but they are yet to win a game at the ongoing WAFCON. Friday's 1-1 draw with Mali means that the Black Queens winless streak at the WAFCON stretches to four games now – two draws and two losses. Ghana have now failed to win their second group games at the WAFCON in their last five appearances (2008, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2025) with an overall record in second group games at 11 games played amassing five wins, three draws and three losses. 'We did a good analysis of the game. We had chances to win it. On a normal day, we would win 9/10 times but here we are with a point. We are still in the tournament. We just need to win the last game [against Tanzania that also have one point following their 1-1 draw with defending champions South Africa],' pointed out Björkegren. 'We had 2.6 on expected goals as compared to their 0.6 chance of scoring. If we display the same performance, if we play like this, we are probably in the quarterfinals. I think I am happy with one point, there is no reason to panic at this point. We still have a chance to qualify to the quarterfinals.' The Black Queens, who are returning to the continental showpiece for the first time since 2018, registed 18 shots at goal with three of them on target. They dominated the ball possession with 58% and had a 61% pass accuracy. It is these numbers that Björkegren is relying on to confidently say that Ghana can turn things around and make it out of the group stages despite being in a difficult position now.
