The ongoing 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is in full momentum as top African giants qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament.The biennial tournament is in its 15th edition and was delayed to 2025. The continental tourney began on 5 July and will conclude on Saturday, 26 July.##NAJAVA_MECA_9023941##Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsThe tournament, which is held in Morocco, is quite peculiar as it is the first time that a nation is hosting it in two consecutive editions, as the previous edition was equally hosted in the North African state.Out of the 12 nations that were competing in the tournament, the race has now narrowed down to four nations: hosts Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa.On Friday, 18 July, African giants Nigeria were the first to book a place in the last four after handing Zambia a heavy 5-0 beating in the quarter-finals.KCB rope in 5 players in rigorous rebuild ahead of new seasonThe floodgates of goals opened inside two minutes when Osinachi Ohale broke the deadlock before Okoronkwo Esther doubled the lead in the 33rd minute, with Chinwendu Ihozou making it 3-0 in the 45th minute.Oluwatosin Denehin and Folashade Ijamilusi found the back of the net in the 69th and 91st minutes respectively to book a semi-final spot in style.On the same day, hosts Morocco unleashed their lethal attack on Mali to qualify for the semi-final with a comfortable 3-1 victory.STARS ABROAD: Olunga on target as Al Arabi begins pre-season with win in SpainIbtissam Jraidi gave Morocco a seventh-minute lead and completed her brace in the 79th minute from the spot before Kenza Chapelle scored a third in the 89th minute.Mali’s consolation came via a penalty in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time, converted by Aissata Traore.The other two quarter-final matches were held on Saturday, 19 July, to determine the two teams that would join Nigeria and Morocco in the semi-finals.MOFA duo set for Sweden trials with Vasalunds IFAlgeria took on Ghana in the first match of the day, but the two teams battled out to a barren draw both in regular time and extra time, forcing the tie to be decided on post-match penalties.Ghana scored all their four kicks through Bonnus Kyerewaa, Doris Boaduwaa, Chantelle Boye, and Evelyn Badu.Algeria’s Sofia Guellati and Taleb Muller found the back of the net, while Marine Dafeur and Ines Bellemou missed their kicks to ensure Ghana emerged 4-2 winners.Wangari Warriors crowned inaugural Empower Mchezaji championsIn the last quarter-final match, South Africa and Senegal both failed to score in both regular and extra time and equally needed post-match penalties to get a winner.Karabo Dhlamini, Tiisetso Makhubela, Gabriela Salgado, and Bambanani Mbane scored for South Africa, while only Mama Diop converted her kick for Senegal, as both Nguenar Ndiaye and Meta Kande missed their kicks, with South Africa winning 4-1.EXCLUSIVE: From ball boy to Harambee Stars, Haniff Wesonga’s relentless rise and European dreamSemi-Finals ShowdownAll the three teams that led in the group stage once again showcased their prowess to proceed to the last four.The first semi-final match will see Nigeria take on South Africa on Tuesday, 22 July, at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca from 1900 hrs EAT.Nigeria, who topped Group B, are going into the match in a rich vein of form, having not only avoided defeat so far but also not conceded a single goal.Kenyan academy suffers semi-final defeat in Swedish Gothia CupThe West Africans will be banking on keeping yet another clean sheet and possibly scoring a winner to reach the final.South Africa, on the other hand, are one of the highest goal-scoring teams with seven goals and have conceded just one in the process.The other clash will pit hosts Morocco against Ghana on the same day, but hosted at the Stade Olympique de Rabat from 2200 hrs EAT.London DL: Tsegay moves closer to Kipyegon’s World markMorocco will be banking on home support to overcome Ghana and book a place in the final—and hopefully win it.While Morocco, who topped Group A, have scored seven goals, they have conceded four—a testament to a shaky defense, which will be a concern ahead of the semis.Ghana, on their part, were runners-up in Group C, where they started with a loss but drew the second match and won the third to proceed to the quarter-finals.Their improvement continued in the quarter-finals against Algeria, where they kept their first clean sheet of the tournament, and they will be hoping to continue with that form against the hosts.Scottish club provides transfer update on Victor Wanyama
