Morocco secure top spot; Burkinabe, Uganda bow out

Ghizlane Chebbak of Morocco celebrates her goal with teammates after converting from the spot during the 2022 Womens Africa Cup of Nations game between Morocco and Senegal at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco on 8 July 2022 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday Jul 09, 2022. 13:00

Friday 8 July’s action in the 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations (WAFCON) saw host nation Morocco claim top spot in Group A, while Burkina Faso and Uganda have both bowed out of the tournament.

The Atlas Lionesses defeated their counterparts from Senegal 1-0 at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat thanks to a controversial second-half penalty from Ghizlane Chebbak, ensuring that the North Africans ended top of the standing with a full haul of nine points.

They will go on to face the third-place finisher from Group C (likely Botswana) in the quarterfinal next midweek.

As for Senegal, they finished second in Group A with six points and will come up against Group B’s winner (likely Zambia).

In a concurrent clash, Burkina Faso and Uganda drew their encounter in Casablanca 2-2, with goals from Adama Congo and Adele Kabre, as well as Margret Kunihira and Sandra Nabweteme respectively.

The Burkinabe took position three ahead of the Crested Cranes on goal difference, but with just one point they are out of the running to advance into the final eight as one of the two best third-place finishers (with Group B and C third-place teams already having two and three points on the board respectively).

Sunday 9 July brings Matchday 3 action from Group B, as Tunisia, Cameroon and Togo battle to join top-of-the-log Zambia in qualification for the quarterfinals.

Shepolopolo will look to continue their unbeaten status when they face the Female Sparrowhawks at Stade Moulay Hassan in Rabat, while Cameroon and Tunisia will have a crunch clash at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca. Both matches kick-off at 22:00 CAT.

Zambia coach Bruce Mwape wants to see his team continue their improvement ahead of the knockout stage starting next midweek.

“We represented Africa at the Olympics [in Tokyo 2021] and they expected us to do better and, for sure, we shall deliver,” said Mwape. “I still believe the players are here to deliver and convince the world that we can still play.”

WAFCON results and fixtures

Friday 8 July

Morocco 1-0 Senegal

Burkina Faso 2-2 Uganda

Saturday 9 July (times CAT)

22:00: Cameroon v Tunisia

22:00: Zambia v Togo