Sport

WAFCON: Morocco Secures Maiden World Cup Ticket

By Web News 392

Hosts Morocco progressed on Wednesday in Rabat to their first-ever semi-finals in Women’s Africa Cup of Nations history after overcoming an exciting Botswana side 2-1.

The victory also ensured that the Atlas Lionesses also secured the country’s maiden place at the Women’s World Cup.

They qualified for next year”s competition in Australia and New Zealand following the quarter-final victory in Rabat.

The win of the Maghrebians over the Mares was thoroughly deserved even though the crowd buoyed the home side with vociferous support at Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium.

Playmaker Fatima Tagnaout was the toast of the fans as she set up both goals to ensure her side claimed the important win that put the side in the history books.

The hosts raced into the lead as they got the opening goal of the quarter-final encounter through FAR Rabat star Sanaa Mssoudy after three minutes.

Tagnaout cleverly placed a free-kick just behind the wall allowing Mssoudy to steal in from behind with a simple tap in to send the home supporters into ruptures.

The fans had barely settled in their seats following their jubilation when Botswana also responded via a free-kick.

Morocco’s lead lasted only three minutes as the Mares got the equalising goal in the sixth minute through Keitumetse Dithebe.

She hammered home the ball with goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi failing to hold.

The Atlas Lionesses restored their advantage in the second half and eventually won the game with a goal from Yasmin Mrabet who was set up by Tagnaout.

The playmaker spotted Mrabet and floated a long ball which Mrabet headed but goalkeeper Maitumelo Boseja watched the ball as it squirmed past her for the winner.

The victory means Morocco are through to the last four where they will face the winner of Thursday’s quarter-final match between Cameroon and defending champions Nigeria.

Punch / Titilayo Kupoliyi

Sport

2022 WAFCON: S. Falcons Falter as Debutants Botswana Top Group C

By Web News 788

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have lost their opening match at the ongoing 2022 Women’s African Cup of Nations, WAFCON, holding in Morocco.

The Super Falcons fell by 1-2 to perennial rivals South Africa in the Group C match while Burundi were hit 4-2 by Botswana.

Two quick-fire goals from the South Africans through Jermaine Seoposenwe in the 61st minute and Hildah Tholakele Magaia only two minutes proved too much of an hurdle for the Super Falcons to scale.

Rasheedat Ajibade scored deep in stoppage time but it was too little too late.

The win extends South Africa’s dominance over Nigeria in recent years as the Super Falcons had not won or scored against South Africa in the continental showpiece since 2016.

In the other Group C match, Botswana registered the biggest win of the tournament so far when they saw off fellow debutants Burundi 4-2 at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat.

The Mares opened their scoring through Karabo Dithebe a minute to the halftime mark.

With the lead, Botswana went into the break with their heads held up high while looking to extend their lead.

A minute into the second half, Lesego Radiakanyo did just that as she doubled Botswana’s lead to 2-0.

Sandrine Niyonkuru scored to keep Burundi’s hopes of winning the game alive, but it was Botswana’s Tholakele who scored a quick brace in the 55th and 59th minutes to hand the Mares a 4-1 lead to knock the stuffing out of the Burundians.

The Burundians found the back of the net in the 81st minute with a fine finish to make the score 4-2.

Botswana, who are now Group C table leaders, face Nigeria in their next game on Thursday, July 7 at 2000Hrs GMT while Burundi will be up against South Africa at 1700Hrs GMT.

CAF/Maxwell Oyekunle