The Desert Foxes beat hosts Morocco 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to claim their first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations medal
Algeria secured a historic Algeria WAFCON bronze medal on Saturday, defeating hosts Morocco 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the Rabat Olympic Stadium to claim the first podium finish in the country’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations history.
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The victory provided a remarkable response to Algeria’s semi-final disappointment against Malawi and brought a memorable end to a campaign that has taken the North African side into unfamiliar territory at the continental championship.
Morocco started brightly in front of their home supporters and almost took the lead in the 17th minute when Ibtissam Jraidi’s first-time effort struck the crossbar.
The hosts did not have to wait much longer for the breakthrough.
Kautar Azraf displayed impressive technique nine minutes later, beating her marker before curling a left-footed effort into the far corner to give Morocco a 1-0 lead.
Azraf came close to adding a second shortly afterwards when she connected with a volley, although the effort bounced awkwardly and lost direction before Algeria managed to clear the danger.
Morocco continued to threaten, with Jraidi presented with another opportunity in the 63rd minute after being played through on goal. The forward, however, could not make clean contact with her effort.
Algeria gradually grew into the contest after the interval and began to exert sustained pressure on the Moroccan defence.
Captain Marine Dafeur came close in the 77th minute after receiving a perfectly weighted pass, but she could not steer her attempt towards goal.
Lina Boussaha then provided another warning three minutes later, sending a powerful volley narrowly over the crossbar.
The pressure eventually produced the equaliser in the 83rd minute.
Melissa Bethi released Boussaha with a precise through ball, and Boussaha kept her composure to beat the Moroccan goalkeeper and restore parity at 1-1.
Neither side could find a decisive second goal before the final whistle, sending the historic North African contest to a penalty shootout.
Algeria prevailed 3-2 from the spot, with Ines Belloumou converting the decisive penalty to seal a landmark victory.
The triumph means Algeria have claimed their first-ever medal at the WAFCON finals, transforming what could have been a disappointing end to their tournament into a powerful moment for the country’s women’s football programme.
For Morocco, the defeat brings an impressive home campaign to a close with a fourth-place finish. The hosts had been hoping to secure another top-three finish after reaching the final in 2022 and 2024.
The bronze-medal contest was also significant beyond the final score.
It was the first time two North African teams had met in a WAFCON medal match and the first occasion on which two sides from the same region contested the third-place play-off.
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Algeria’s victory therefore adds a significant new chapter to the history of the competition while giving the Desert Foxes a breakthrough achievement they can build on in future editions.
Oreoluwa is an accountant and a brand writer with a flair for journalism.
