2024 WAFCON hosts Morocco defeated Ghana 4-2 on penalties after a tense 1-1 draw at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, booking a final clash against nine-time champions Nigeria.
Evelyn Badu and Comfort Yeboah missed from the spot for the Black Queens, while Morocco converted all their kicks.
The Atlas Lionesses had fought back from a goal down in regulation time, with the brilliant Sakina Ouzraoui Diki cancelling out Stella Nyamekye’s first-half opener.
Morocco, runners-up in 2022, now advance to a second straight WAFCON final, setting up a mouth-watering showdown with Nigeria, who edged South Africa 2-1 in Casablanca.
Nyamekye had put Ghana ahead in the 26th minute, slotting home after Morocco goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi failed to deal with a corner.
It was another costly lapse from the Morocco stopper, who has appeared the weak link in Jorge Vilda’s otherwise impressive side.
The hosts struggled to find rhythm in the first half but responded after the break. Player of the Match Ouzraoui Diki – one of the tournament’s standout performers – levelled with a fearless left-footed volley 10 minutes into the second half.
Nyamekye had already tested Er-Rmichi early on, while Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah and Josephine Bonsu also threatened. Morocco’s Sanaa Mssoudy missed a golden opportunity from range, while Ghana’s Doris Boaduwaa twice came close to doubling the lead before halftime.
The game ultimately went to penalties, where Hanane Aït El Haj, Jraidi, Kenza Chapelle, and Anissa Lahmari scored with confidence for Morocco. Bonsu and Kush converted for Ghana, but Badu missed badly, and Yeboah’s tame effort was saved by Er-Rmichi – sealing Morocco’s place in the final against the Super Falcons.
