The Atlas Lionesses produced a disciplined and clinical performance at Moulay El Hassan Stadium to eliminate the former champions and continue their impressive run on home soil.
Early Exchanges and Opening Goal
Morocco started brightly and almost took the lead in the 20th minute when Sanaa Mssoudy rose to meet a cross, only to see her header sail narrowly over the bar. South Africa responded quickly through Thembi Kgatlana, whose effort moments later also cleared the woodwork as both sides traded early chances.
The breakthrough arrived in the 31st minute. Sakina Ouzraoui produced a sublime first-time finish inside the area, reacting quickest to guide her effort beyond goalkeeper Kaylin Swart and hand the hosts a deserved lead. It was Ouzraoui’s second goal of the tournament.
Second-Half Drama
Morocco doubled their advantage six minutes after the restart. Hanane Aït El Haj stepped up to convert calmly from the penalty spot after South Africa were penalised for a foul inside the area.
Trailing by two goals, Banyana Banyana raised their intensity and found a route back into the contest in the 67th minute. Kgatlana showcased her quality, cutting in from the left before unleashing a fierce strike that reduced the deficit and ignited South African hopes.
The visitors continued to press in search of an equaliser, applying sustained pressure on the Moroccan defence in the closing stages. However, the hosts remained organised and resilient, limiting clear-cut opportunities and seeing out the result with maturity.
Historic Double Achievement
The final whistle confirmed Morocco’s progression to the last four, with the semi-finals scheduled for Wednesday, 12 August. Equally significant is the automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup that comes with reaching the WAFCON semi-finals.
For South Africa, the defeat ends their campaign at the quarter-final stage. Despite a spirited second-half fightback led by Kgatlana, Banyana Banyana were unable to overturn the deficit against a well-drilled Moroccan side.
Morocco now turn their attention to the semi-finals with growing confidence, buoyed by the dual achievement of continental progression and a place on the world stage in Brazil.