- Senegal have progressed to the knockout stage for the first time ever
- Morocco picked their second successive win
- They will now vie to finish top of the table
Hosts Morocco and Senegal became the first two teams to progress to the knockout phase of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after winning their second group stage matches.
Morocco beat Uganda 3-1 while Senegal saw off Burkina Faso by a solitary goal to move to six points each in Group A. The two will now clash to determine who finish top of the group.
Meanwhile, Uganda and Burkina Faso will battle for the third spot and possibly hope they can be one of the top two best third placed teams to squeeze into the quarters.
Senegal secure a place in the last eight
In the early kick off, substitute Korka Fall’s penalty was all Senegal needed to secure successive victories and assure themselves of a place in the quarters.
Senegal celebrate their victory over Burkina Faso. PHOTO/CAF
The Burkinabe, making their debut in the competition, put up a superb fight but couldn’t get a goal. They had chances, with Madinatou Rouamba coming close in the opening half with a low shot from the edge of the area that kissed the outside of the net.
Senegal’s best chance in the opening half fell on Meta Camara from a corner, but her volley at the backpost went over.
In the second half, Burkina Faso continued to prod looking for the goal, and they came close again when Rasmata Sawadogo cut in from the right, but her left footed shot went wide.
It was the Senegalese who would get a goal off the match in the 86th minute off a penalty, Fall converting after Burkina defender Alimata Belem made a foul inside the box.
Meanwhile in the late kick off, Morocco continued with their brilliant start to the tournament, hitting Uganda to diminish their hopes of a knockout berth after suffering their second successive defeat.
Tottenham Hotspur striker Rosella Ayane scored the opener from the spot before Uganda equalized just before the break through Sumaya Komuntale. However, Morocco scored two in the second half through Nesrryne El Chad and Ghizlane Chebbak to seal the victory.
Moroccans emphatic against Uganda
The Moroccans broke the deadlock after 14 minutes when Ayane took penalty responsibility after she had been brought down inside the box by Margaret Namiramu.
Morocco celebrates one of their three goals against Uganda. PHOTO/CAF
Uganda however kept their fight and responded in the 32nd minute when Komuntale curled in a brilliant freekick from a tight angle on the left, beyond the wall and past the keeper.
With a 1-1 score at halftime, the East Africans were confident and optimistic about getting something off the match especially after losing their opening game.
But, Morocco re-took the lead in the 68th minute when El Chad guided home a glancing header, connecting to a well curled Chebbak freekick.
Morocco, pushed on by their home fans continued to pile the pressure. They were given a penalty in the 84th minute after Komuntale was adjudged to have used her arms against an opponent. It went from bad to worse for the Ugandans as their goal scorer was also sent off.
Skipper Chebbak stepped up and converted with six minutes left to give her side a commanding lead.
Uganda were dented especially with a one-woman disadvantage and they couldn’t conjure a comeback.
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