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The 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations hosts, Morocco dug deep to settle a score with nine women defending champions Nigeria to qualify for their first Final.
On the other side South Africa also moved to the final at edging Zambia through a last minute penalty.
Results.
- Zambia 0 – 1 South Africa
- Morocco 1(5) – 1(4) Nigeria
But onto the main and second game of the day, first, The Atlas Lionesses of Morocco beat Super Falcons 5-4 on penalties after they played 1-1 in 120 minutes.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons collected two red cards in the highly tensed match, Halimatu Ayinde and Rasheedat Ajibade respectively being the players sent off. An action that proved to be the game changer.
Halimatu Ayinde getting the first in the 41st minute after her tackle on Rosella Annie of Morocco.
Kanu Uchenna scored the first goal of the match for Nigeria in the 62nd minute before Morocco equalised through Sanaa Mssoudy four minutes later.
A few minutes later after both teams putting the ball in the back of the net, Rasheedat Ajibade too saw see yellow for a dangerous foul on Ayane but the referee later changed it to Red after a VAR check in the 71st minute.
The match entered 30 minutes of extra time where nine-times champions battled hard during extra-time almost taking the lead through substitute Gift Monday shot that hit the cross bar.
At the end of the day, no team put the ball in the back of the game, not until the penalty shoot outs which saw the Atlas Lionesses coming out on top after goalkeeper Er-Rmichi saved striker Onomonu’s penalty during the shootout.
Morocco Women as they celebrate after penalty shoot-out in semi-final against Nigeria Women.
This result saw Morocco end The Super Falcons dominance not allowing the defending Champions of the tournament to achieve their dream to win the title for the tenth time.
In the first semi-final of the day, South Africa ‘s Banyana Banyana needed a penalty to clinch a spot in the the 2022 Total Energies Women Africa Cup of Nations final, Morocco.
This 90th minute penalty was scored by Linda Motlhalo the Banyana Banyana shirt 10 putting the ball on the side to which Musonda dived.
The Banyana who have finished runners-up on five occasions, have advanced to the final and will be hoping to finally get their first continental title.
With the likes of left-back Sibulele Holweni being absent and midfielders Mapula Kgoale, Lebohang Ramalepe being dropped by Desiree, The Banyana coach wing backs Bongekla Gamede and Karabo Dhlamini were brought back to the starting eleven as Melinda Kgadiete returned to partner Jermaine Seoposenwe in the forward line.
While for the Copper queens, coach Bruce Mwape replaced team’s hero at the quarter-final goalkeeper Hazel Nali with Catherine Musonda, the only change from the line-up that beat Senegal.
From the start, the Copper Queen’s Shepolopolo exhibited some threatening play a display that showed South Africa wouldn’t have it soft.
Grace Chanda appeared to be the Zambia star woman for the game shooting just wide after a wonderful, failing to direct her effort having been well-positioned moments later.
Banyana at the half-hour mark got a good opportunity to take the lead from a freekick outside the box after a foul but Refiloe Jane’s kick did not trouble Musonda in goal.
Thirteen minutes into the second stanza, the Banyana thought they had a heaven sent opportunity to score after being awarded a penalty by referee Lidya Tafesse Abebe.
But luckily enough, Video Assistant Referee(VARL overturned THE Referee’s decision for a free-kick as South Africa at the edge of the 18 yard box.
Towards the end of the match as it appeared finish in a draw, Martha Tembo was said to fouled Seoposenwe inside the box in what was a controversial call to earn Banyana a penalty after consulting VAR.
Later on Linda Motlhalo then stepped up and put the ball low Musonda from the spot to hand South Africa the edge on the Zambians.
This result set up a final between hosts Morocco and South Africa that will be played at The Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on the 23rd July 2022 but before there will be a game for third best team as Nigeria will take Zambia.
