Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses booked their place in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final after edging Ghana 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat. In a match soaked in tension and high stakes, it was Moroccan goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi who stood tall, saving the decisive penalty from Ghana’s Comfort Yeboah to send the hosts into their second consecutive WAFCON final.
Ghana had taken a deserved lead in the 26th minute through Stella Nyamekye’s towering header off a corner, silencing the packed stadium. But Morocco responded early in the second half when Sakina Ouzraoui capitalized on a defensive lapse to fire in the equalizer in the 55th minute.
The match grew increasingly physical, and fatigue crept in during extra time. Both sides created half chances, but neither could find a winner. Morocco suffered a scare when playmaker Fatima Tagnaout was stretchered off in the 116th minute, but the team held firm to force penalties.
In the shootout, Morocco converted all four of their spot kicks with ice-cold composure. Hanane Ait El Haj, Ibtissam Jraidi, Kenza Chapelle, and Anissa Lahmari all found the net. Ghana’s Alice Kusi and Jennifer Bonsu scored, but Evelyn Badu missed the target before Yeboah’s effort was calmly stopped by Er-Rmichi, sparking wild celebration from the home crowd.
The result means Morocco will now face Nigeria in the final on July 26 in Rabat. Nigeria advanced earlier in the day with a dramatic 2-1 win over defending champions South Africa, sealed by a heartbreaking goal in stoppage time. The stage is now set for a thrilling finale as Morocco, roared on by their fans, aim for their first WAFCON title.
