Morocco and South Africa will renew their rivalry on Saturday as both nations battle for a place in the semi-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The encounter, scheduled for 9pm local time at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, carries an additional reward, with the winner also securing automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The fixture has added significance because of their memorable meeting in the 2022 WAFCON final. South Africa defeated hosts Morocco 2-1 in Rabat to win their first continental title, with Hildah Magaia scoring twice before Rosella Ayane reduced the deficit for the North Africans.
Morocco have since developed into one of the continent’s strongest women’s teams and will be hoping to use home advantage to go further than they did in the previous edition.
The hosts reached the knockout stage after topping Group A. They defeated Kenya and Algeria before ending the group campaign with a 0-0 draw against Senegal.
Their defensive performance has been one of the highlights of their campaign, as they completed the group phase without conceding a goal. Goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi has also maintained an impressive record, registering three clean sheets at the tournament.
Morocco are looking to reach the semi-finals for the third time. They have won their previous two quarter-final matches, overcoming Botswana in 2022 and Mali in 2024.
Coach Jorge Vilda will also be hoping his team maintains its strong WAFCON record under his leadership. He has suffered only one defeat in nine matches at the tournament.
South Africa, meanwhile, arrive as the defending champions and will be seeking to continue their remarkable consistency in the competition.
Banyana Banyana have reached the quarter-finals for the third successive time and are targeting another semi-final appearance. They have regularly featured among the final four since their group-stage elimination in 2004.
Desiree Ellis’ team had a difficult start but recovered with a narrow 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in their final group fixture.
The victory was particularly important for South Africa as it ended a five-game winless run in open play and provided their first clean sheet since the previous WAFCON.
The South Africans will also rely on the experience and attacking threat of Thembi Kgatlana. Her goal against Burkina Faso took her WAFCON tally to eight, while she has scored twice at this year’s tournament.
History, however, presents another challenge for the reigning champions. South Africa have struggled when facing tournament hosts, winning just once in seven previous encounters.
That victory came against Morocco in the 2022 final, while their other meetings with hosts ended in defeat.
Saturday’s contest therefore promises another tense chapter in the rivalry between the two sides.
For Morocco, victory would move them closer to a first WAFCON title and another appearance in the semi-finals. South Africa, meanwhile, need to overcome their hosts to keep their title defence alive.
With a semi-final place and a World Cup ticket both on offer, neither side can afford a slip-up in Rabat.
