KEHINDE FAJOBI
Morocco and Zambia on Wednesday became the first two countries to qualify for the semifinal of the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
In the first match of the day, Senegal forced Zambia to a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes leading to a penalty shootout with Zambia qualifying for their first ever semifinal and Women’s World Cup after beating Senegal 4-2 on penalties.
Morocco and Botswana were at each other’s neck in the first half of the match with Morocco scoring the opening goal via a free kick in the 3rd minute. The Mares of Botswana responded four minutes later also with a free kick straight into the net.
The deadlock was broken in the 59th minute with a goal from Morocco’s Mrabet to send the host to the semifinal and qualify them for their first ever Women’s World Cup.
Morocco will face either Cameroon or Nigeria in the semifinal while Zambia will slug it out with either South Africa or Tunisia.