Hosts Morocco cruise past Mali to reach Wafcon semis

Ibtissam Jraidi has led the line in all four of Morocco's games at Wafcon 2024 and has now scored three goals

Hosts Morocco booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Mali in Rabat.

Striker Ibtissam Jraidi grabbed a double, opening the scoring in the seventh minute by tapping home a right-wing pass from Sakina Ouzraoui.

However, it took until the 79th minute for Jraidi to double the lead, converting a penalty after Sanaa Mssoudy was fouled.

Kenza Chapelle got Morocco's third with a minute of normal time remaining after Mali goalkeeper Fatoumata Karentao failed to handle a shot from long range.

There was still time for Aissata Traore to grab a consolation from the spot deep in added time at the end of the game, but Mali never truly looked like troubling their opponents.

The result means the Atlas Lionesses have reached their second consecutive Wafcon semi-final and will face either Algeria or Ghana in Rabat on Tuesday (19:00 GMT).

They join Nigeria in the last four, following the Super Falcons' 5-0 demolition of Zambia.

Morocco on the spot again

Morocco had to rely on a controversial penalty to see off Senegal in their final group game - a result which helped them top Group A - but coach Jorge Vilda stuck to his guns, naming the same starting 11 for a fourth successive match.

Despite the hosts heading into the game as heavy favourites, it was Mali forward Agueissa Diarra who had the opening chance, sending a header off target in the third minute.

Shortly afterwards, Ouzraoui saw her left-footed effort saved following an excellent first touch to control the ball.

Jraidi was then in the right place at the right time to settle nerves inside the Olympic Stadium, sending winger Ouzraoui's enticing delivery into an empty net, although she had to endure a short VAR check before being able to fully celebrate her opener.

A block by defender Couluba Sogore prevented Jraidi from doubling the lead, while the impressive Ouzraoui also sent two efforts off target.

And Mali, who struggled in the first half, could have made their opponents pay for their profligacy before the break.

Aicha Samake found the back of the net from a long-range free-kick, only to see it ruled out for offside, much to the frustration of the West Africans.

The Female Eagles served up a more spirited performance in the second half and saw Fatoumata Diarra's half-volley well saved by Moroccan goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi

But Jraidi finally put the tie to bed with 11 minutes remaining, making it 2-0 after South African referee Akhona Makalima awarded the Atlas Lionesses their fourth penalty of the tournament, having also scored from the spot in each of their three group games.

Second-half substitute Chapelle grabbed Morocco's third before Traore scored her second goal of the tournament with 97 minutes on the clock, with the penalty awarded for handball against Morocco skipper Ghizlane Chebbak.

The scoreline means Mali miss out on the chance to improve on their best ever Wafcon result, having finished fourth in 2018.

The hosts' campaign to avenge their defeat to South Africa in the 2022 final remains on course for now.