Total Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2022: Senegal progress despite Morocco loss

Debutants Senegal are through to the quarter-finals of the ongoing Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) despite their 0-1 loss to hosts Morocco, in their final Group A game on Friday night.

In a battle of Lionesses, Atlas up against Teranga, it was a battle of equals which was decided by a penalty awarded in the 55th minute and converted by Ghizlane Chebbak, the ASFAR player who is fast establishing herself as the poster girl of her team.

Though they lost, the Senegalese were a good side to watch, matching the Moroccans quality for quality but only let down by their poor finishing.

Aware of the opposition they were dealing with, the Moroccans began the game on a high note, throwing everything at the Senegalese who absorbed and occasionally launched their own counterattacks.

After the recess, the Atlas Lionesses increased their tempo again, and it was from one of such onslaughts that South African referee, Makalima Akhoma with the help of VAR, ruled that a player had handled the ball, though it rather looked like a ball to hand situation.

The resultant kick was converted by Chebbak.

The Teranga Lionesses had their chances too, including an ignored penalty call.

The 55th minute goal would be the only goal of this crunch game, helping the hosts to an unbeaten run in this competition and all nine points to top Group A going into the quarter-finals.

Despite this loss, Senegal also made it to the quarter-finals having beaten Uganda (2-0) and Burkina Faso (1-0) in their previous games.