The Atlas Lionesses of Morocco defeated the reigning African champions, the Super Falcons 5-4 on penalties to book a final face-off with Banyana Banyana of South Africa.
This is the first time both sides will be playing in the final of the African Women Nations Cup. Africa will see a new Women’s champions in 2022 with South Africa and Morocco seeking to win their first WAFCON title.
The penultimate stages of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) was decided on Monday as the last four standing teams in the competition, decided their fates in Casablanca and Rabat.
For South Africa and Morocco it was a day to jubilate, while Zambia and nine-time champions Nigeria, had to settle for one more match – Friday’s third-place playoff.
From the blast of the whistle Morocco went in search of an early goal but the Falcons thwarted their efforts.
And after surviving the first 15 minutes the Falcons took charge of the game and started chances of their own.
The Falcons had their first attempt on goal in the 25th minute but Uchenna Kanu’s header from a cross from Rasheedat Ajibade was well claimed by the Moroccan keeper.
In the 32nd minute the Falcons were awarded a free-kick in a good area but Ngozi Okobi’s attempt went way over the bar.
The Falcons should have punished the Morocco on 35 minutes after a poor pass in the hosts defence but Christy Ucheibe’s attempt from aside with the keeper off her lines went wide.
Just three minutes into the second half the Falcons were reduced to 10 players following Ayinde’s sending off after VAR review.
But it was the Falcons who took the lead on 62 minutes off an own goal by Yasmin Mrabet.
But in the 66th minute Sanaa Mssoudy equalized for Morocco as she pounced on a rebound after Chiamaka Nnadozie failed to hold on to a low cross from the right.
With both teams failing to find the winner the game went into extra-time as Monday Gift had a shot from range but it hit the bar, the game was eventually decided on penalties where Morocco won 5-4.
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