WAFCON.
Hosts, Morocco, Earn S/ Final Ticket After 3-1 Victory Over Mali
By Yadnom Awu/Asaba
Hosts, Morocco, won big in tonight’s tie against Mali to earn a semi -final ticket at the Women African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Championship holding in Morocco.
In the second quarterfinal ticket game played tonight, Morocco netted thrice and conceded one to win by a three- one margin.
The victory makes the Moroccans the second team to win a semi-final ticket at the tournament,following Nigeria’s earlier 5-0 drubbing of Zambia in the first game of the night.
Morocco opened scores in the 7th minute through playmaker, Jiradi who , together with Cheebak, constituted the Moroccans’ torture machine.
After the goal, the Malians walked and warned their way into the encounter, but the hosts maintained dominance , though no more goals came in that stanza.
On resumption, both teams strove to get the better of their opponents but it was Morocco that showed minimal dominance.
Under pressure, the Female Eagles of Mali conceded a penalty in the 78th minute when Konte fouled Missoudy in the vital 18 yard box.
Playmaker, Jiradi stepped forward to convert from the spot to take the scoreline to two goals to nothing in favour of Morocco.
The fate of the Malians became sealed in the 89th minute when their goalkeeper fumbled with the ball which slipped off her hands into the net. That was their third and last goal for the hosts.
In the 5th minute of added time, Mali got a consolatory goal via a penalty kick converted by Traore after Cheebak handled the ball in the vital area.
With the goal, the final score line stood at 3-1 in favour of Morocco.
