By Kwame Bediako
Ghana’s Black Queens will meet Morocco for the first time ever in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with no prior encounters between the two teams in the tournament’s 13 previous editions.
The highly anticipated semi-final is scheduled for Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 7pm GMT at the Stade Olympique in Rabat, as both sides chase their maiden WAFCON continental title.
Morocco earned their place in the semi-finals with an impressive 3-1 win over Mali in the quarterfinals. Their earlier group-stage performances included victories over DR Congo and Senegal, along with a draw against Zambia in the opening match, showcasing a strong and balanced side led by coach Jorge Vilda.
Meanwhile, Ghana experienced a mixed group stage, losing narrowly to defending champions South Africa and drawing against Mali before securing a convincing win over Tanzania to finish second in Group C.
The quarterfinal between Ghana and Algeria was a tense, tightly contested affair that remained goalless after extra time. Goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan emerged as the hero for the Black Queens by saving two crucial penalties in the shootout, leading Ghana to a 4-2 victory.
This win marked Ghana’s advancement to the semi-finals, where they now face the host nation Morocco in a match that has captured national and continental attention.
This semi-final is a crucial test for Ghana, who are eager to return to a WAFCON final for the first time in nearly two decades and aim to win their first-ever continental crown.
The Black Queens’ coach, Kim Lars Björkegren, remains optimistic ahead of the encounter, emphasizing the need for discipline, focus, and passion to overcome the host side. Morocco, buoyed by home support, will also be motivated to secure back-to-back final appearances on home soil.
