Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses Roar into AFCON Semifinals with Dominant 3-1 Victory over Mali

Ghizlane Chebbak’s teammates did not waste time in taking control of the match. As early as the 7th minute, Ibtissam Jraïdi found the back of the net, catching the Malians off guard. This goal completely upset the Malian coach’s plans, forcing his players to come out of their shell to try to come back before the game slipped away from them.

Despite this early advantage, the Moroccans struggled to secure the win. Multiplying the offensives, they were confronted with a goalkeeper in a state of grace in the Malian goal. The latter made a series of decisive saves, keeping her team in the game. The Lionesses, for their part, often showed haste in the final gesture, a lack of lucidity that could have cost them dearly. The Malians, although dominated, were not left out and believed in the equalizer in the 38th minute, before the goal was logically disallowed for an offside position.

The second half resumed at a false pace, the two teams neutralizing each other in midfield. It took until the last quarter of an hour for the situation to clear up. In the 79th minute, a penalty allowed them to break the deadlock and relieve the entire stadium. Far from being satisfied, the Moroccans hammered the final nail in the coffin in the 90th minute through Kenza Chapelle, definitively sealing the fate of the match.

Mali’s reduction of the score, also from the penalty spot in the dying moments of added time, will change nothing. Morocco wins 3-1 and continues its journey in the competition. The players are now waiting to find out their next opponent, who will be the winner of the duel between Ghana and Algeria, scheduled for this Saturday, July 19 in Berkane. Towards a Maghreb derby?