The Olympic Stadium in Rabat will host a decisive Group A showdown this Saturday night as hosts Morocco face Senegal in their final group match at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with kick-off set for 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT).

This encounter marks only the second time the two sides will meet at WAFCON. Their first clash came in 2022, when Morocco edged Senegal 1-0 thanks to a 55th-minute penalty by captain Ghizlane Chebbak.

Both teams advanced to the knockout stages that year—Morocco as group winners and Senegal as runners-up.

The stakes are high once again. Morocco need at least a draw to guarantee top spot in the group, regardless of the result in the simultaneous Zambia vs. Democratic Republic of Congo game.

 Senegal, meanwhile, can secure a quarterfinal berth with a win—or even a draw—depending on other group results, as they remain in contention for one of the best third-placed team slots.

Morocco’s Momentum and Home Fortitude

Morocco remain unbeaten in WAFCON group matches as hosts, with three wins and two draws. However, their defensive solidity has come into question—after conceding four goals in just two games at this tournament, compared to five across six matches in 2022.

The Atlas Lionesses have shown remarkable resilience, coming from behind in both of their group matches—a 1-1 draw with Zambia and a 4-2 win over DR Congo.

 The comeback win against DR Congo marked only the second time Morocco have scored four goals in a WAFCON game.

Star forward Ghizlane Chebbak has been at the heart of Morocco’s success. The team captain has scored four goals in this tournament, bringing her total to seven WAFCON goals—all in the group stage.

 Her recent hat-trick against DR Congo was the first by a non-Nigerian at WAFCON since 2012 and made her the first Moroccan player, male or female, to score four goals in a single AFCON or WAFCON edition.

Senegal Seek Redemption and Historic Progress

Senegal enter the clash with mixed fortunes. A 3-2 loss to Zambia in their last match halted their momentum, but the Lionesses of Teranga remain within reach of a second consecutive quarterfinal qualification.

Their defeat to Zambia marked the first time Senegal lost a WAFCON game after scoring first and the first time they scored more than one goal in open play yet failed to win.

Still, the team showed attacking promise, increasing possession and producing more shots on target in the second half.

Nguenar Ndiaye has been a standout performer for Senegal, scoring four goals in the tournament so far—including braces in both group matches.

With six WAFCON goals to her name, Ndiaye has now found the net in three consecutive WAFCON matches, matching a feat last achieved by Senegalese men’s star Sadio Mané at AFCON 2017.

Senegal will be aiming to win their final group game at a WAFCON for the first time, having lost their last matches in both 2012 and 2022.

Victory over Morocco could secure top spot in Group A if Zambia fail to win, while a draw might still be enough to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.

A Battle of Form and Fortitude

Morocco have never lost a WAFCON group game on home soil, but they are yet to keep a clean sheet in their last five matches in the finals.

Senegal, meanwhile, have yet to score against a tournament host, losing 5-0 to Equatorial Guinea in 2012 and 1-0 to Morocco in 2022.

With Chebbak in fine form for Morocco and Ndiaye leading Senegal’s charge, Saturday’s clash promises to be a thrilling encounter—one that could reshape the knockout picture and add another dramatic chapter to the tournament’s growing legacy.

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Ghana’s Black Queens face a tense final group match after being held to a 1-1 draw by Mali in a fiercely contested Group C clash at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Friday evening in Berkane.

The result leaves Ghana with just one point from two matches and needing a win in their final fixture against Tanzania to stand any chance of reaching the quarter-finals. Mali, on the other hand, moved to four points and remains well-placed to advance.

The encounter at Stade Municipal de Berkane lived up to its billing as a West African derby, with both teams knowing that anything less than victory would complicate their path to the knockout stage.

Ghana, still reeling from a 2-0 opening defeat to defending champions South Africa, made a lightning start and struck as early as the sixth minute. Alice Kusi found the breakthrough after Doris Boaduwaa’s header rattled the Mali defence, pouncing on the rebound to slot home from close range.

The early goal lifted Ghana’s tempo and confidence, and they dominated the first half, creating a series of chances. However, they were left to rue their profligacy as Boaduwaa, Kusi and Evelyn Badu all missed opportunities to double the lead—thanks in large part to a solid performance from Mali goalkeeper Fatoumata Karentao.

Mali gradually grew into the game and levelled shortly after the break. A sharp through ball from Saratou Traoré split the Ghanaian backline, allowing Aïssata Traoré to finish calmly in the 52nd minute.

The equaliser opened the game up, with Ghana pouring forward in search of a winner. Princella Adubea, Grace Asantewaa and Jennifer Cudjoe all tested Karentao, but the Mali shot-stopper remained resolute.

Despite a late onslaught from Kim Björkegren’s side, the Black Queens could not find a second goal and now head into a must-win clash against Tanzania under pressure.

For Mali, the draw keeps them firmly in the race for a place in the last eight, with their final group match to determine their fate.

In a match that highlighted the intensity and unpredictability of WAFCON’s so-called “Group of Death,” both sides were left with mixed emotions—relieved not to have lost, but aware of what’s still at stake.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has launched an investigation into the Algerian women’s national football team over alleged breaches of its statutes and regulations at the ongoing 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

CAF confirmed the development in a statement released ahead of Algeria’s final Group B fixture against Nigeria on Sunday. While the governing body did not disclose specific details of the allegations, it stated that it “will not make any further comment on this matter until the procedure has been completed.”

The probe follows mounting concerns that Algeria has allowed political tensions with host country Morocco to spill into the sporting arena, undermining the neutrality and unity expected in continental competitions.

Earlier reports from Sports Village Square had flagged signs of politicisation of the tournament by the Algerian Football Federation (FAF), including actions widely perceived as deliberate efforts to sideline or erase the identity of the host nation.

Key flashpoints include the refusal of the Algerian team to participate in the traditional pre-match group photo when playing against Morocco, a gesture interpreted as a snub to the host country. Additionally, the FAF circulated a modified version of the official WAFCON tournament logo that omitted Morocco’s name and visual identity as host.

In an apparent extension of this posture, Algerian officials reportedly blocked all communication and promotional materials that contained the word “Morocco,” escalating what many observers view as a politicisation of a tournament meant to celebrate African unity through sport.

Background to the Dispute

The friction between Algeria and Morocco has deep historical and geopolitical roots, particularly surrounding the status of Western Sahara. Algeria has long supported the Polisario Front, a movement seeking independence for Western Sahara, a territory largely administered by Morocco. These tensions have led to periodic diplomatic breakdowns and have increasingly found expression in sporting contexts.

CAF has traditionally enforced strict rules against the infusion of political agendas into football competitions. The latest developments mark a test of the body’s resolve to maintain that stance amid rising regional tensions.

As Algeria prepares to face Nigeria in a crucial final group match, the outcome of CAF’s investigation could have significant implications not only for the team’s future in the competition but also for broader questions around the role of politics in African football.

Related story: https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/2025/07/09/tensions-flare-as-algeria-politicizes-2025-womens-afcon-in-morocco/

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