Zambia, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa all reach the semi final of the 2022 edition of the Women’s African Cup of Nations following victories in their respective quarter final games.
Nigeria maintain the record of reaching the last four of the competition since invention, which has seen them won it eleven times of the possible 13.
South Africa continues the search for a first gold in the competition as they see off Tunisia while Zambia and Morocco made multiple history with their semi final birth.
Zambia (4) 1-1 (2) Senegal
Zambia reaches a first World Cup finals following their quarter final win over Senegal on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the end of extra time on Wednesday evening.
After a first half which produced no goal, the deadlock was broken on the stroke of the hour mark as Nguenar Ndiaye heads home following a free-kick from the right.
Nine minutes later, Zambia, in the same fashion restored parity but it was thanks to Senegalese goalkeeper, Tening Sene Afa, who spilled an easy catch to allow Avell Chitundu head home from close range.
Neither of the teams was able to score again and the game went to penalties after the end of extra time.
Korka Fall and Ndiaye Awa Diakhate missed for Senegal while only Lusho Mweemba missed for Zambia. Goalkeeper, Hazel Nali scored the decisive kick to send Zambia into the last four.
Bruce Mwape’s women become the first landlocked country in Africa to reach a senior FIFA World Cup tournament, where the Zambian women will play in the FIFA Women’s World Cup next year.
Morocco 2-1 Botswana
Qualified as host and playing in the competition for the first time since 2000, Morocco made multiple history following their 2-1 win over Botswana, which see them in the last four for the first time ever later on Wednesday.
Sanaa Mssoudy gave the Northerners an early lead, connecting with an inviting free-kick from Fatima Tagnout to beat goalkeeper, Maitumelo Sedilame Boseja three minutes into the match.
Botswana however were not behind for long as Keitsumeste Dithebe restored parity four minutes later, with a superb free-kick, which will take a beaten for the best goal of the competition.
Morocco continued to mount the pressure and just about the hour mark, their persistent pressing paid off as Yasmin Mrabet heads home from close range following a cross by Fatima Tagnout, who recorded her second assist of the game.
Aside from reaching the semi final, Morocco also becomes the first Arab country to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which is set to take place next year in Australia and New Zealand.
Three time defending Champions, Nigeria Super Falcons awaits in the semi.
South Africa 1-0 Tunisia
South Africa made it four wins from four in the ongoing Women’s African Cup of Nations following a 1-0 win over North Africans, Tunisia to reach the last four for the eleventh time in their history.
Jermaine Seoposenwe scored the only goal of the game in the 13th minute, capitalizing on a slip up in the Tunisian defence to score her second goal in the competition.
It also means South Africa have qualified for the Women’s World Cup for a second time in a row after never playing in the competition until 2019, when they qualified through their performance in the Women African Cup of Nations.
They play Senegal in the next round as they look to make it back to back appearance in the final of the competition.
Cameroon 0-1 Nigeria
Rasheedat Ajibade scored a thumping header, four minutes before the hour mark to seal a 1-0 win for three time defending Champions, Nigeria Super Falcons as they see off the Indomitable Lioness of Cameroon.
The result sees Randy Waldrum’s ladies progress to the penultimate stage of the competition and as well book their place in the Women’s World Cup next year in Australia and New Zealand.
An evenly contested first half produced no goal and with Nigeria’s first and only effort on target in the game, Atletico Madrid striker, Rasheedat Ajibade ensured there was enough power on her header to beat Ange Bawou to her near post.
Prior to the kickoff of the tournament, Falcons coach, Waldrum had said the priority of her side is to reach the next year’s World Cup and that didn’t go down well with the fans.
Their losing start to the competition was also not too pleasing but after winning they last three games to reach the semi finals, the confidence and belief is now restored as they prepare to face Morocco for a place in the final.
Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi
