Morocco take on South Africa in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Saturday, with a place in the semifinals and a ticket to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil up for grabs.
The match kicks off at 9:00 p.m. local time at Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.
The Atlas Lionesses finished top of Group A with seven points after beating Kenya 4-0, Algeria 1-0 and drawing 0-0 with Senegal.
The team scored five goals and did not concede once, keeping three clean sheets in three matches.
Head coach Jorge Vilda will count on captain Ghizlane Chebbak, striker Ibtissam Jraïdi and winger Sanaâ Mssoudy to lead the attack. The team will also need to take its chances better in front of goal, as knockout games leave little room for mistakes.
South Africa reached the last eight after finishing second in Group B with four points. Banyana Banyana lost 2-1 to Tanzania, drew 2-2 with Ivory Coast and beat Burkina Faso 1-0.
The defending champions scored four goals and conceded four during the group stage.
Forward Thembi Kgatlana remains South Africa’s biggest threat. Her pace on the counterattack will test the Moroccan defence.
Saturday’s game is a repeat of the 2022 WAFCON final. South Africa beat hosts Morocco 2-1 in Rabat to win their first African title and deny the Atlas Lionesses a first continental trophy.
The match is also a chance to secure a second straight Women’s World Cup appearance. Morocco reached the round of 16 on its debut at the 2023 tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
The game comes as the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) continues to invest in women’s football through better facilities, youth development and hosting major tournaments.
A win would send Morocco into the semifinals, secure a place at the 2027 Women’s World Cup and keep alive hopes of winning a first WAFCON title in front of home fans.
