Morocco joined Zambia in qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup tonight after a 2-1 win over Botswana in their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final clash in Rabat.
The WAFCON hosts, like Zambia, also booked a first-ever spot at the Women’s World Cup, which is taking place next year in Australia and New Zealand.
Cheered on by a full house at the Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium, Morocco got off to a great start with the opening goal after only three minutes.
Influential midfielder Fatima Tagnaout’s free-kick was turned in by Sanaa Mssoudy with a sliding touch, sending the passionate crowd into jubilation.
Botswana, who finished third in Nigeria’s group, fought back gamely, equalising seven minutes later through Keitumetse Dithebe, who drove home a powerful left-footed free-kick from outside the box that beat Morocco goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi.
WAFCON debutants Botswana were not intimidated by hosts Morocco, who almost took the lead just before half-time through English-born striker Rosella Ayane.
Fourteen minutes after the break, the hosts went back in front as defender Yasmin Mrabet scored with a forceful downward header that crept past Boseja.
It was Morocco’s fourth win at this WAFCON, after a 100 per cent record in the group phase, and they now await either Cameroon or Nigeria’s Super Falcons in the semi-finals next week.
Botswana still have a shot at the World Cup through the WAFCON repechage, where they will play another losing side in the quarter-finals for a place in the inter-continental play-offs tournament billed for next February in New Zealand.
