Morocco have secured their place at the 2027 Women’s World Cup following a 2-1 victory over South Africa in their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) quarter-final in Rabat on Saturday.
Goals from Sakina Ouzraoui and Hanane Aït El Haj sealed the win and provided a measure of revenge for South Africa’s 2-1 victory over Morocco in the final of the continental competition in 2022.
Thembi Kgatlana pulled a goal back for South Africa with 23 minutes left, but they could not find an equaliser to force extra-time.
Morocco book their World Cup ticket having debuted at the global finals in 2023, while South Africa will have to go the long way round if they are to play in Brazil next year.
They will meet the loser of Sunday’s third quarter-final between Cameroon and Nigeria on Thursday for a place in FIFA’s inter-confederation play-offs for one of three World Cup tickets available via that route.
Morocco now look ahead to a WAFCON semi-final against the winner of that tie between Cameroon and Nigeria, who beat the North Africans in the final of the 2024 edition.
They deserved their win over South Africa but did finally concede a goal for the first time at these finals.
Banyana Banyana have been below par in this tournament and were second best again.
Morocco took the lead in the 31st minute when Ouzraoui provided a superb finish as she volleyed the ball past South Africa goalkeeper Kaylin Swart.
El Haj played in a cross from deep and Ouzraoui connected perfectly to lift the ball over Swart and wrong-foot the goalkeeper.
Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak had the chance to double their advantage when she spotted Swart off her line and had a gaping goal to aim at, but lifted the ball over the crossbar instead as the hosts led 1-0 at the break.
The hosts were awarded a penalty within five minutes of the restart when Noxolo Cesane was adjudged to have fouled Chebbak, and El Haj confidently struck her spot-kick into the corner of the net.
Kgatlana was a constant threat and when she latched onto a pass from Karabo Dhlamini, she beat the offside trap and fired low into the back of the net to halve the deficit.
South Africa had much of the ball after that, but were unable to find the goal to keep their title hopes alive.
