Morocco won a second game at their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals, beating Uganda 3-1 in Rabat on Tuesday to advance from Group A to the quarterfinals.
Morocco join Senegal, who beat Burkina Faso earlier in the day, in the last eight of a tournament where the top two teams in the three first round groups, plus two best third placed finishers, all go through to the next round.
Both countries have a full haul of points from their opening two matches. Two penalties and a super second-half header from marauding defender Nesryne El Chad ensured home success after Morocco had started the tournament on Saturday with a close-fought 1-0 triumph over Burkina Faso.
Tuesday’s game proved a tough assignment for the hosts but they were gifted a penalty early on, converted by Rosella Ayane, their English-born striker.
Uganda, who had lost 2-0 to Senegal in their tournament opener on Sunday, fought their way back into the game with a clever freekick from left back Sumatya Komuntale.
Morocco took back the lead in the 68th minute. Captain Ghizlane Chebbak floated in a perfect ball for El Chad to head home. There was a soft penalty for Morocco in the when Komuntale caught Ayane in the face with a trailing hand and Chebbak extended the lead from the spot.
Morocco now meet Senegal in Rabat on Friday to decide top place in the group.
Uganda can still possibly advance but would need a handsome win over the Burkinabe when they clash in Casablanca at the same time.
Credit: supersports.com
