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The Atlas Lionesses secure quarterfinal spot in front of home crowd after a win against the Crested Cranes at Rabat’s Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex on Tuesday night.
Morocco thumped Uganda 3-1 courtesy of goals from Nesryne Elchad, Cheebak and Rosella Ayane
in Group A in their second round of fixtures of the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup Of Nations.
Coming into this match after a victory against Burkina Faso, the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco knew that a win tonight can ensure a historic first qualification for the tournament’s quarterfinals.
In the game, Ghizrane Chebbak converted from the spot fourteen(14 minutes) while Sumaya Komuntale pulled off and special free kick just two minutes past the half hour mark just to level matters before the end of the first stanza.
In the second half, Uganda started on a sloppy note with Morocco proving dominant. But the former eventually overcame the early fears stabilizing and indeed putting up respectable performance.
But in the 67th minute when Ghizrane Nesryene El Chad put The Atlas Lionesses in the lead once again after poor marking by the Ugandan defenders in the six-yard box.
Uganda had no chances almost all game with the Atlas Lionesses making a couple of substitutions to keep themselves in the driving seat, the notable one being Sanna Mssoudy who helped in cooling down the pressure in the middle of the park.
Seven minutes to end the game, goal scorer Sumaya Komuntale after a VAR check, there was shown a second yellow and eventually sending her off (something she had forgotten). The penalty was given Komuntale had swang an arm that hit one of the Moroccan women player in the 18 yards box area.
The Hosts penalty was put into the back of the net by Tottenham Hotspur’s Rosella Ayane that didn’t see Uganda’s goalkeeper Ruth Aturo make even a single step to save it.
All this happened a few minutes after Coach Lutalo, had made a substitute bringing on Rines SS’ Joanita Ainembabazi for her debut in place of 2022 CECAFA Women’s Challenge Cup Most Valuable Player Fazila Ikwaput.
After all the four teams playing, Uganda now lies bottom of Group A with O point and a -4 goal difference while Morocco head back up top, just a one goal difference above second placed Senegal.
The Crested Cranes will shift focus to Friday’s game against hosts Burkina Faso.
Starting Eleven
Ruth Aturo (GK), Asia Nakibuuka, Sumaya Komuntale, Phionah Nabbumba, Margaret Namirimu, Joan Nabirye, Shamirah Nalugya, Sandra Nabweteme, Rita Kivumbi, Fazila Ikwaput, Fauzia Najjemba
