Wafcon 2024 semi -finals: Nigeria hits South Africa; Morocco joins Super Falcons with profit on penalties

Michelle Alozie’s long ball bounced in the goal in a stop time to give Nigeria a 2-1 victory over South Africa on Tuesday and to send the Super Falcons to the final in the Africa Cup of Nations for Women’s Africa.

The Super Falcons have won nine Wafcon titles. Disappointed by their fourth place in the 2022 tournament, they called their goal to win this event as «Mission X.»

Alozie, who plays in the National Women’s Soccer League for the Houston Dash, sent the ball forward for four minutes. Although two teammates stood in front of the Net van Zuid -Africa, neither of them touched the ball while it bounced into the goal.

Rasheedat Ajibade, who plays for Atlético Madrid, converted a penalty just before the break to put Nigeria 1-0 ahead. The Super Falcons received the penalty in the box due to a handball.

South Africa, the defensive Wafcon champion, even pulled Linda Motlhalo’s penalty in the 60th minute.

Nigeria, which had never admitted a goal in the tournament, strived Zambia 5-0 in the quarterfinals to move forward. South Africa, led by coach Desiree Ellis, went on punishments after a scoreless draw with Senegal.

There was a scary moment in the 84th minute when the South Africa -midfielder Gabriela Salgado went down with an injury and players from both teams frantic for help.

Salgado was stretched with her left leg heavily packaged while her teammates were sobbed. The crowd in Stade Larbi Zaouli sang her name.

Morocco determines the final with Nigeria

Goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi blocked Comfort Yeboah’s attempt when host Morocco went on to the championship of the ladies Africa Cup of Nations on a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw with Ghana on Tuesday.

Ghana took a first half. Er-Rmichi got a hand on the header of Josephine Bonsu, but it bounced the post and hit the goal for Stella Nyameekye to push it into the net in the 26th minute.

Morocco equalized in the 55th when Sakina Ouzraoui bounced a pass from her chest to her feet and scored from under diving Ghana goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan.

Also read: Why is Caf Algeria investigating on Wafcon 2024?

Piezelig For the rest of the regulation, the competition went to extra time in the Rabat Olympic Stadium.

Morocco has seen its national team rise in recent years.

The team reached the Wafcon final in 2022 but fell in South Africa. Morocco also went to the World Cup World Cup for the first time in 2023 and went on to the round of 16.

Morocco went to the semi-final with a 3-1 victory over Mali, while Ghana Algeria defeated 4-2 on penalties after a scoreless draw.