BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

A potentially politically charged semifinal at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2024 was averted on Saturday night after Ghana edged Algeria in a dramatic penalty shootout, bringing relief to organisers and fans who had anxiously anticipated the prospect of a high-stakes Morocco-Algeria encounter.

With Morocco already through to the semifinals following their win over Mali, all eyes turned to Berkane for the quarterfinal clash between Ghana and Algeria.

 A win for the North African neighbours would have set up a Morocco vs Algeria semifinal—a fixture laden with political and diplomatic undertones given the long-standing tensions between the two countries.

But Ghana’s Black Queens had other ideas. After a tense 0-0 draw in regulation time, the West Africans held their nerve to triumph 4-2 in the penalty shootout, sending them into the last four for the first time since 2006 and defusing what could have been an emotionally fraught North African derby.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) had reportedly prepared contingency protocols in case the politically sensitive fixture materialised, with concerns over fan behaviour, security logistics, and the broader diplomatic context.

The last time Morocco and Algeria met in a major tournament—the men’s Arab Cup in 2021—the atmosphere was tense and highly scrutinised.

With Ghana now set to face hosts Morocco in the semifinals, the focus shifts back to football.

The Black Queens’ resurgence under coach Kim Lars Børkegren has been one of the standout stories of the tournament, and their clash with the high-flying Atlas Lionesses promises to be a thrilling sporting spectacle free from political baggage.

As the dust settles in Berkane, fans across the continent can look forward to a mouth-watering semifinal lineup driven by sporting ambition rather than political subtext.

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Defending champions South Africa will continue their title defence with a quarterfinal showdown against Senegal on Saturday at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2024, as both teams clash in Oudja in what is only their second-ever meeting in the competition—and their first in a knockout round.

Their only previous encounter came in the 2012 group stage in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, where South Africa emerged 1-0 winners thanks to a 70th-minute strike from Andisiwe Mcgoyi. A dozen years on, much has changed, but Banyana Banyana’s dominance over West African sides remains remarkably intact.

South Africa: Knockout Pedigree and Defensive Steel

The reigning champions enter the last eight on the back of a commanding 4-0 win over Mali that sealed top spot in Group C and extended their unbeaten run in open play at WAFCON to 14 matches (W11 D3). That run includes victories over traditional heavyweights like Nigeria (twice), Mali (twice), and Ghana, with the only blemish being a 0-0 draw in the 2018 final, which they lost on penalties to Nigeria.

Under coach Desiree Ellis, South Africa have become a formidable tournament team. They have now reached the knockout rounds in 11 WAFCON editions—including the last nine consecutively—and have won their last three knockout matches, all by a single-goal margin and all with clean sheets.

In direct knockout matches under Ellis, South Africa have an unblemished record:

• 2018 Semifinal: 2-0 vs Mali
• 2022 Quarterfinal: 1-0 vs Tunisia
• 2022 Semifinal: 1-0 vs Zambia

Goalkeeper Andile Dlamini has been in fine form, keeping clean sheets in both her appearances at the current tournament and making 10 saves—just one shy of her total from the entire 2022 campaign. Meanwhile, defender Lebogang Ramalepe has contributed directly to three goals (1 goal, 2 assists) and created a team-high six chances.

Senegal: Searching for History Amid Inconsistency

Senegal, meanwhile, are seeking to break new ground. After reaching the quarterfinals for the first time in 2022, they have returned to the last eight but will be hoping to go one better this time by reaching their first-ever WAFCON semifinal. Their only previous knockout experience came in 2022 when they took Zambia to penalties after a 1-1 draw but lost the shootout.

The current campaign began brightly for the Lionesses of Teranga with a resounding 4-0 win over DR Congo. However, back-to-back losses to Zambia (3-2) and hosts Morocco (1-0) have left questions about their defensive solidity and consistency. They have now lost four of their last five WAFCON games (W1 D1 L4).

Interestingly, Senegal’s matches have been high on early drama: seven of the 10 goals (scored and conceded) in their three group-stage matches came in the first half. They are yet to feature in a 0-0 draw in WAFCON history, and all signs point to another open contest in Oudja.

Head-to-Head and Tactical Insight

South Africa’s superiority in knockout matches and their excellent record against West African opposition (five wins and a draw since 2016 in open play) gives them a clear psychological edge. They’ve conceded only once in their last six such matches, scoring 11 goals in the process.

Senegal’s struggle against Southern African sides is notable—they’ve faced Zambia twice (one draw, one loss) and lost their only game against South Africa. Their attack can be potent, especially early in matches, but their defence has conceded six times in their last three WAFCON games.

What’s at Stake

Victory for South Africa would put them in their 11th WAFCON semifinal, cementing their status as the continent’s most consistent performers. For Senegal, a win would mark a historic breakthrough into the tournament’s final four—a milestone that has so far eluded them.

Key Players to Watch

• South Africa: Andile Dlamini (GK), Lebogang Ramalepe (DF), Linda Motlhalo (MF), Jermaine Seoposenwe (FW)
• Senegal: Hapsatou Diallo (FW), Nguenar Ndiaye (FW), Tenning Sene (MF), Safietou Sagna (DF)

Kickoff Time:

Saturday, July 20, 2024 – 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT)
Venue: Oudja, Morocco

Expect a tightly contested affair, but South Africa’s experience, discipline, and history in the latter stages could once again prove decisive.

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By KUNLE SOLAJA.

As the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 gathers pace towards its climactic finale, football fans across the continent are eyeing a potentially explosive semifinal fixture that could extend beyond the boundaries of sport: Morocco vs Algeria.

With Morocco already securing their place in the semi-finals after a composed quarterfinal display, all eyes now turn to Saturday’s crunch tie between Algeria and Ghana.

Should Algeria overcome the challenge of the Black Queens, they will set up a much-anticipated North African derby against Morocco—a fixture laden with political subtext and historical rivalry.

While the Women’s AFCON is first and foremost a celebration of footballing excellence and gender empowerment across Africa, the prospect of a Morocco-Algeria clash evokes decades of diplomatic tension between the two neighbours.

Political relations between Rabat and Algiers have been severely strained in recent years, culminating in the severing of diplomatic ties in 2021, with borders closed and official communications frozen.

Yet, in the sporting arena, the possibility of a meeting between the two national teams—this time in the women’s game—presents both a challenge and an opportunity.

On the one hand, it raises security and protocol sensitivities for CAF and tournament organisers. On the other, it offers a stage for unity and sportsmanship to triumph over political division.

Historically, matches between Morocco and Algeria have been fiercely contested, with emotions running high both on and off the pitch. A potential semifinal clash in WAFCON 2024 would be the first time the women’s teams of both countries face off at this level, adding a new dimension to an already rich and complex rivalry.

For Morocco, who are hosting the tournament and aiming to win their maiden continental title on home soil, the stakes are high—not just for national pride, but for consolidating their growing status as a powerhouse in African women’s football.

Algeria, should they dispatch Ghana, would be relishing the chance to make a statement of their own by toppling the hosts in what would be a highly symbolic victory.

CAF is expected to be closely monitoring developments, especially in terms of crowd management, officiating neutrality, and the political optics of such a match-up.

However, fans and football purists will be hoping that if the fixture does happen, it will be remembered for the quality of play, the competitiveness of spirit, and the promotion of African women’s football.

Kick-off for the Algeria vs Ghana quarterfinal is set for Saturday, with the victor booking a semifinal date against the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco—potentially setting the stage for one of the most politically charged and emotionally intense matches in WAFCON history.

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