 with a dominant 3–1 win over Mali){kind=link}
Hosts Morocco marched into the semi-finals of the ongoing 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a dominant 3–1 win over Mali on Friday night, in front of a roaring home crowd at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
A clinical brace from Ibtissam Jraidi and a late strike from substitute Kenza Chapelle secured a deserved victory for the Atlas Lionesses, who continue their pursuit of a maiden continental title following their runner-up finish in 2022.
Jraidi Leads the Charge
The breakthrough came early as star striker Ibtissam Jraidi gave Morocco a dream start, firing home in the 7th minute to ignite the packed stadium and settle nerves. Morocco controlled proceedings throughout the first half, maintaining composure and keeping Mali at bay despite occasional counterattacks.
Jraidi added her second in the 79th minute from the penalty spot after a handball in the box, effectively sealing the tie before being replaced five minutes later. Her performance once again underlined her status as one of the tournament’s most reliable forwards.
Moments after coming on, Kenza Chapelle added a third in the 89th minute, converting neatly to round off a flowing team move—emphasizing the depth and tactical flexibility of Jorge Vilda’s side.
Tactical Masterclass from Jorge Vilda
The Spanish coach, who took over following Morocco’s historic World Cup run in 2023, praised his players’ discipline and hunger. Ahead of the match, Vilda had spoken about his team’s unwavering preparation:
“Every morning, my players make me feel ready to fight.”
His tactical acumen showed with key halftime substitutions—Élodie Nakkach and Sanaâ Mssoudy brought renewed energy into midfield, while Imane Saoud and Chapelle helped stretch Mali’s defence in the closing stages.
Mali Fall Short Despite Late Consolation
Aissata Traoré netted a consolation goal for Mali deep into stoppage time (97th minute), converting a penalty after VAR intervention. It offered a flicker of pride for the Eagles, who entered the match seeking redemption following a humbling 4–0 loss to South Africa in their final group game.
Malian head coach Mohamed Houssein Saloum had promised a transformed side, and while there were signs of greater resolve, they were outclassed for most of the encounter. Traoré had vowed before the match to leave everything on the pitch—her late strike, though not enough to alter the outcome, was a testament to her fighting spirit.
Morocco One Step Closer
With the win, Morocco move on to the semi-finals, where they will face the winner of the Algeria vs Ghana quarterfinal—a matchup scheduled for Saturday. The home side’s confident performance and passionate support from the stands make them a formidable contender as they aim to go one better than their silver-medal finish in 2022.
The tournament continues to deliver drama and quality, with Nigeria also sealing a semifinal place after a resounding 5–0 victory over Zambia. The final semifinal spot will be decided when defending champions South Africa face Senegal in a much-anticipated clash on Saturday night.