WAFCON: Morocco edge past Ghana on penalties after thrilling semi-final
Hosts win shootout 4-2 in raucous atmosphere to set up final against Nigeria
Morocco and Ghana played out one of the most enthralling matches of the tournament in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) semi-finals as the hosts won a penalty shootout to set up a final against Nigeria.
More than two hours of play was not enough to separate the two teams as the game finished 1-1 after extra time, Morocco advancing on penalties (4-2), just as they did in 2022 when they were beaten by South Africa in the final.
A sellout crowd celebrated Morocco’s 3-1 win over Mali in what proved to be a pretty straightforward quarter-final, but the atmosphere today was a step up again. While the stands only started to fill an hour or two before kick-off last time around, there were long queues of people and cars outside the stadium for the semi-final more than three hours before kick-off.
There was tension in the air, too. The hosts were the favourites against a side seeking to reach their first WAFCON final since 2006, but Ghana certainly were not to be underestimated. They showed just why at the start of the match, taking more of the initiative while Morocco needed some time to get going. Both sides were keen not to give up anything cheaply and defended with numbers, so chances were hard to come by. The Atlas Lionesses found themselves in a couple of promising positions from transitions, but could not fashion anything from them.
As Ghana kept a decent share of possession and certainly got stuck into a proper contest, the home crowd started to get a little irate. Unfavourable refereeing decisions were greeted with loud boos and whistles all around the stadium, as were the visitors’ more promising attacks. However, there was a notable drop in the sound levels before the half-hour mark. Morocco goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi did incredibly well to somehow tip Josephine Bonsu’s header onto the post, but the ball bounced back and tantalisingly bobbled across the goal-line. A couple of Moroccan players were on hand but could not do anything in such a precarious position, allowing Stella Nyamekye to arrive on the scene and smash the ball home to silence the stands.
How Morocco would cope with heightened expectations and pressure was the big question going into this match. For their part, the home fans soon returned to encouraging chants and cheers, and the team grew some attacking threat before half-time. Their team’s momentum grew after the break as they posed more of a consistent threat, and reward came with an equaliser. It came in transition, Sakina Ouzraoui pouncing on the loose ball from Ibtissam Jraïdi’s deflected shot and finishing coolly.
Ghana were not sitting and watching, by any means, as they tried to pose a threat themselves, but it was the hosts who applied greater spells of pressure, buoyed by a crowd that was back up to full volume. However, chances started to dry up later on as tired legs surely played their part in the latter stages of an epic battle. Both teams once again grew a bit cautious, wary of a late concession, so on we went to extra time and eventually penalties.
Moroccan conversions were met with huge roars around the stands which then transitioned into deafening boos for the Ghanaian takers. Each of the first five players that stepped up held their nerve, but the visitors were the first to blink as Evelyn Badu fired wide. Anissa Lahmari converted Morocco’s next kick, after which Er-Rmichi produced the decisive moment by saving Comfort Yeboah’s effort.
What defined Morocco’s match?
Speedy transitions. Head coach Jorge Vilda spoke about his intention to set the team up to make the most out of such situations in the pre-match press conference, and they delivered. Morocco did not get off to the best of starts and even seemed to cede a little bit of control in exchange for this transition threat, but it eventually paid off.
Fan favourite Sanaâ Mssoudy was given a start this time having come off the bench in all her previous appearances at the tournament. She was to play a key part, as her magical ball control, fast carrying and clever vision made her a key attacking outlet. Once again, though, the real difference-maker was captain Ghizlane Chebbak, who had a relatively quiet first half but became more influential in the second period, dropping deeper to pick the ball up and play her exquisite through-passes.
Local media has been eager to question the Atlas Lionesses’ lack of a clinical edge in recent weeks, and ultimately that held them back from executing their gameplan to perfection. At the same time, though, their opponents must be given a lot of credit for stifling attacks.
What defined Ghana’s match?
Boldness. This youthful Ghana side were the clearest outsiders among the semi-finalists, but they did not let that affect them. This was a mammoth challenge for the Black Queens for a number of reasons, but they rose to the occasion and then some.
For one, this was the first time this tournament that Ghana were playing in front of a packed stadium. They did get some support from travelling fans through the group stage and quarter-final out in the north-eastern corner of Morocco, but the roughly 21,000 fans that were cheering against them made this a very different atmosphere. Additionally, they had just two rest days after the quarter-final against Algeria (which also went to extra time), during which time they had to travel more than 400km to get to Rabat.
Despite all that, Kim Björkegren’s side set out to impose themselves on the game. They got a pretty well-deserved opener, and never retreated into a shell even after conceding and facing serious waves of pressure - on the pitch and off it.
From the starters to the substitutes, every player played their part and gave their all to make this an incredible contest. They got stuck into challenges, attacked with good numbers and defended with desperation when necessary, not giving up as much as an inch easily. The result will naturally sting bitterly for the next few days, but the Black Queens can very much leave with their heads held high after this performance.
Something you might have missed
There were fascinating tactical battles and individual duels all over the pitch in what was a very combative match. The contest in midfield was perhaps the most intriguing, as both sets of players were excellent on the ball and really drove their respective teams forward.
Ghana had a slight upper hand in the first half, and the standout for them was Grace Asantewaa. The 24-year-old Juárez midfielder was given freedom to move around in possession, which she utilised to help progress the ball to great effect. She also covered a lot of ground and made a host of key interventions off the ball, winning a joint-high 14 duels and putting together a very impressive all-round display.
Morocco looked more threatening in the second period, with Chebbak assuming a bigger role. They did seem to lose a good deal of their threat once she went off in extra time, though, while Asantewaa tirelessly kept going for the full 120 minutes.
What next?
Both teams will be in action for their final matches of the tournament in a few days. Ghana will face South Africa in the third-place match in Casablanca on Friday, while Morocco will take on nine-time champions Nigeria on Saturday night in Rabat.
 | A guest post by
|