Morocco vs South Africa Women WAFCON Preview
Morocco and South Africa are eyeing a last-four berth in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations as they meet in a quarter-final clash on Saturday.
The tournament hosts are enjoying a solid campaign and will be confident of getting past Banyana Banyana, who only just scraped through to the knockout stage.
Key Stats
- Morocco were unbeaten in their three group stage matches.
- Morocco have won four of their last five matches in all competitions.
- South Africa have failed to win two of their last three matches.
South Africa on Top
South Africa have won the two previous matches against Morocco. Banyana Banyana claimed a 2-1 victory in the 2022 WAFCON final and also triumphed 2-0 in a friendly last year.
Smooth Sailing for Morocco
Morocco head into this clash off the back of a 0-0 draw with Senegal in their final group stage fixture. They saw plenty of possession but were wasteful in attack, with Yasmin Mrabet even missing a second-half penalty.
While manager Jorge Vilda will be disappointed not to have secured the win, he will take the positives of his team's unbeaten record. Morocco had won their opening two fixtures and qualified for the knockout stage as Group A winners.
Morocco have experience navigating this stage of the WAFCON, having gone all the way to the final in the last two editions. Their overall recent form has also been solid, winning four of their last five matches in all competitions.
South Africa Scraping Along
South Africa are coming off a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in their final group stage fixture. Thembi Kgatlana struck the only goal midway through the first half, and they were able to hold on for the win.
Having failed to win their opening two fixtures, South Africa went into that clash needing a victory to progress. The result was enough to see them finish second in Group B and earn a place in the quarter-finals.
While manager Desiree Ellis will be pleased to have qualified, South Africa's showings at this year's tournament have been underwhelming. Banyana Banyana’s overall form has also been unconvincing, having failed to win three of their last five matches in all competitions.
Team News and Predicted Line-ups
Morocco (4-2-3-1): Khadija Er-Rmichi; Hanane Ait El Haj, Maryame Atiq, Nouhalia Benzina, Zineb Redouani; Yasmine Mrabet, Elodie Nakkach; Sakina Ouzraoui, Ghizlane Chebbak, Sanaa Mssoudy; Ibtissam Jraidi.
Captain Chebbak made her first start for Morocco last time out and is likely to retain her place in the team. Mssoudy is also expected to feature in attack while Benzina and Atiq should continue their partnership in central defence.
South Africa (4-4-2): Kaylin Swart; Fikile Magama, Bambanani Mbane, Karabo Dhlamini, Antonia Maponya; Refiloe Jane, Noxolo Cesane; Hildah Magaia, Linda Motlhalo; Isabella Ludwig, Thembi Kgatlana.
South Africa came away from their final group stage clash with no injuries or suspensions and are likely to stick with the team that beat Burkina Faso. Kgatlana should feature in attack once again while Mbane is set to continue at centre-back.