South Africa and Morocco reach Women's AFCON final, Nigeria lose on penalties
July 19 - Africa will crown a new champion after Morocco and South Africa reach the final of the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
The hosts beat nine-woman Nigeria 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. The Super Falcons took the lead with an own goal from Yasmine Mrabet before Sanaa Mssoudy equalized. The defending champions had Halimatu Ayinde and Rasheedat Ajibade sent off.
The match also set an attendance record in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations with 45,562 fans watching the semi-final at the Moulay Abdallah stadium in Rabat.
This is the first time that Morocco (photo) has reached the final of the continental championship. This is not the case for South Africa, which has been runners-up in the tournament four times. In the 2018 edition of the tournament, South Africa were beaten by Nigeria in the final. This time they could do better after beating Zambia 1-0 thanks to a Linda Mothalo penalty in the 94th minute.
There was, however, controversy over the referee's decision to award the kick after a field-side VAR review. Zambian coach Bruce Mwape expressed his disappointment with the decision.
In the South African camp, there was only joy. "In 2018 we were so close, then there was no competition in 2020 (due to Covid-19)," Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis said.
“Before we started our camp, we sat down as a group and asked: what is our goal? What is our goal?
"The first was to qualify for the World Cup. The second was to win the final, and I think we have to give ourselves that chance after being so close in 2018. It's not just for us It's also for players who were there in 2018."
On Saturday, South Africans and Moroccans will meet in the final to crown a new African champion.
Contact the author of this story at moc.l1658284173labto1658284173ofdlr1658284173owedi1658284173sni@i1658284173tnuk.1658284173ardni1658284173mas1658284173
July 19 - Africa will crown a new champion after Morocco and South Africa reach the final of the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
The hosts beat nine-woman Nigeria 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. The Super Falcons took the lead with an own goal from Yasmine Mrabet before Sanaa Mssoudy equalized. The defending champions had Halimatu Ayinde and Rasheedat Ajibade sent off.
The match also set an attendance record in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations with 45,562 fans watching the semi-final at the Moulay Abdallah stadium in Rabat.
This is the first time that Morocco (photo) has reached the final of the continental championship. This is not the case for South Africa, which has been runners-up in the tournament four times. In the 2018 edition of the tournament, South Africa were beaten by Nigeria in the final. This time they could do better after beating Zambia 1-0 thanks to a Linda Mothalo penalty in the 94th minute.
There was, however, controversy over the referee's decision to award the kick after a field-side VAR review. Zambian coach Bruce Mwape expressed his disappointment with the decision.
In the South African camp, there was only joy. "In 2018 we were so close, then there was no competition in 2020 (due to Covid-19)," Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis said.
“Before we started our camp, we sat down as a group and asked: what is our goal? What is our goal?
"The first was to qualify for the World Cup. The second was to win the final, and I think we have to give ourselves that chance after being so close in 2018. It's not just for us It's also for players who were there in 2018."
On Saturday, South Africans and Moroccans will meet in the final to crown a new African champion.
Contact the author of this story at moc.l1658284173labto1658284173ofdlr1658284173owedi1658284173sni@i1658284173tnuk.1658284173ardni1658284173mas1658284173
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