Hosts Morocco Into Wafcon Final After Shootout Win Over Ghana

Hosts Morocco will look Nigeria successful nan last of nan 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations aft beating Ghana 4-2 successful a punishment shootout astatine nan Olympic Stadium successful Rabat.

The crippled vanished 1-1 aft 90 minutes and neither broadside could break nan deadlock successful other time.

Evelyn Badu struck Ghana's 3rd punishment wide and, pinch Morocco maintaining a cleanable grounds from nan spot, nan unit was excessively overmuch for 18-year-old Comfort Yeboah who saw her effort saved by nan diving Khadija Er-Rmichi.

The crippled had started very otherwise for nan Black Queens, who were nan amended broadside successful nan first half and took nan lead successful nan 26th infinitesimal done Stella Nyamekye.

Morocco came to life aft nan break and recovered their equaliser done winger Sakina Ouzraoui 10 minutes into nan 2nd period.

The consequence intends nan Atlas Lionesses will title a 2nd consecutive last connected location soil, looking to assistance nan Wafcon trophy for nan first clip and contradict Nigeria, who hit holders South Africa 2-1 successful their semi-final, a record-extending 10th title.

Having required penalties to hit Nigeria successful nan semi-finals 3 years ago, Morocco knew location was each chance a different West African force could origin them angst connected their ain spot again.

And that's precisely really it turned retired against a Ghana broadside who person improved arsenic nan tourney has gone on.

Following immoderate beingness opening exchanges, joined by nervousness from some sides, it was erstwhile England younker world Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, 1 of nan Black Queens' standout players successful Morocco, who had nan first existent chance, hitting her effort into nan arms of Er-Rmichi aft 10 minutes.

Three minutes later, Ghana wasted different chance arsenic Nyamekye decided against carrying nan shot into abstraction and alternatively opted to sprout from distance, starring to different comfortable save.

Nyamekye's opener came aft a agelong shot recovered its measurement to full-back Josephine Bonsu, whose powerful header forced a good reflex prevention from Er-Rmichi that simply allowed nan forward, who plays for Gotham FC successful nan National Women's Soccer League, to tuck location nan rebound.

Nyamekye continued to beryllium a livewire beingness for nan remainder of nan half, causing problems for nan North Africans' defence and helping to regularly move complete possession.

Morocco's World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda, who made 2 changes to his starting line-up, having named an unchanged broadside for nan first 4 games of nan tournament, sensed problem and made a first-half tactical alteration 10 minutes aft nan goal.

Off went cardinal midfielder Elodie Nakkach to beryllium replaced by Najat Badri, reversing 1 of those pre-match changes.

The hosts only really threatened their opponents erstwhile successful nan first half, erstwhile skipper Ghizlane Chebbak went down successful nan area pursuing a tussle pinch defender Susan Duah successful wounded time. The officials correctly waved distant nan punishment claims.

The 2nd half, however, saw roles wholly reversed, pinch Morocco dominating.

Badri had already forced a crisp reflex prevention from Cynthia Konlan earlier Ouzraoui equalised, collecting a agelong shot to finishing past nan Ghana keeper.

Er-Rmichi astir instantly talented Nyamekye a second, only to spot nan 19-year-old salary nan value for being hasty and shooting early alternatively than composing herself.

Although Morocco continued to power proceedings, other clip looked inevitable arsenic clip ticked by.

Ghana's champion opportunity to triumph it came successful nan first half of other clip erstwhile nan 2 players who would soon suffer punishment heartbreak combined.

Yeboah's speculative changeable from scope was nervously parried backmost into play by Er- Rmichi, pinch Badu lurking and astir capable to tuck home.

Not overmuch was created aft that, pinch some teams devoid of energy.

And truthful to penalties.

Just arsenic successful their semi-final shootout against Nigeria astatine Wafcon 2022, Morocco were faultless.

Hanane Ait El Haj, Ibtissam Jraidi, Kenza Chapelle and Anissa Lahmari each converted, putting nan unit backmost connected a Ghana broadside who defeated Algeria connected spot kicks successful their quarter-final.

And while Bonsu and Alice Kuti scored successful nan first 2 rounds, Badu and Yeboah could not find nan net.

It intends nan three-time runners-up person now grounded to triumph immoderate of their six knockout matches played against Wafcon big nations.

Like Ghana, Morocco person ne'er claimed a continental title.

They will dream Saturday's last against Nigeria will spot a caller sanction etched connected nan caller Wafcon trophy, a reward for nan country's immense finance successful nan women's game.