AFCON Shock! Morocco Roars Into Knockouts – See How They Did It!

Morocco's Atlas Lionesses are making waves at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations! They've secured their spot in the knockout stages after a nail-biting 1-0 victory against Senegal. Yasmin Mrabet's cool-headed penalty in the first half proved to be the decider in a match filled with drama and passion.

Morocco's Dominance on Home Soil

From the whistle, Morocco showed their intent, controlling the midfield and launching dangerous attacks down the wings. Their persistence paid off when Ibtissam Jraïdi was brought down in the box, leading to the penalty. Mrabet stepped up and delivered, sending the home crowd into raptures.

Senegal's Fightback

Senegal didn't back down, though! They came out strong in the second half, desperately searching for an equalizer. Nguenar Ndiaye and Korka Fall led the charge, but Morocco's goalkeeper, Khadija Er-Rmichi, was in top form, denying every attempt.

Veteran Aziza Rabbah Shines

But the story doesn't end there! Veteran defender Aziza Rabbah, at 39, put in a masterclass performance, earning the Player of the Match award. Her experience and leadership at the back were crucial in securing Morocco's first clean sheet of the tournament. Rabbah's journey is one of perseverance. After being on the bench in the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations and missing out on the World Cup squad, she returned to the starting lineup, proving her worth and inspiring her teammates.

"Honestly, winning this trophy as the Woman of the Match is not my personal achievement but that of the whole team," Rabbah said.

Morocco now tops their group and will be looking to continue their impressive run in the knockout stages. Can they go all the way and lift the trophy on home soil? Watch this space!