Skipper leads from the front as Wafcon hosts win

Morocco’s captain Ghizlane Chebbak netted a hat-trick as the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations hosts again had to overcome any early scare before going on to beat the Democratic Republic of Congo 4-2 in their Group A clash in Rabat on Wednesday.

The home side were behind early but rallied to take all three points and put themselves on course for the knockout stages.

With one game to go in the group, Morocco have top place in the standings, ahead of Zambia, who beat Senegal 3-2 earlier, on goal difference.

The hosts move to the top of Group A on goal difference 🇲🇦🔝#HereForHer | #WAFCON2024 pic.twitter.com/G0vuxX05vg

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 9, 2025

Congo scored their first goal of the tournament to shock the home fans as Merveille Kanjinga scuffed the ball wide of the goalkeeper, after being set through by a pass from Naomie Kabakaba, and saw it sneak in at the back post after seven minutes.

Morocco came close to an equaliser in the 15th minute when Ibtissam Jraidi hit the crossbar but it was Chebbak who levelled matters after 23 minutes with a super half-volleyed finish after a long cross into the penalty area was not cleared.

Chebbak then steered Morocco into the lead two minutes before the break as again DR Congo’s failure to clear their lines proved disastrous.

A square pass from Fatima Tagnaout came off a defender, as goalkeeper Fideline Ngoy could not cut it off, and it was heading goalward when Chebbak steered it in anyway.

The halftime lead suggested Morocco would go on and make sure of all three points in the clash but the capacity crowd at the Stade Olympique were stunned when the Congolese caught the hosts napping again in the 70th minute.

A quick counter-attack initiated by Marlène Kasaj saw determined running onto the ball by Flavine Mawete, who opened up her body and used her right foot to steer the ball across the face of goal and into the far corner.

Five minutes later Morocco were back ahead when substitute Imène El Ghazouani stormed down the right-hand side and delivered a perfect pass that Chebbak slid home ahead of her teammate Sanaâ Mssoudy.

Victory was assured when Anissa Lahmari had her foot trodden on in the penalty area, and Yasmin M'rabet stepped up to convert the resultant penalty, sending Ngoy the wrong way.

Morocco and Zambia both have four points, while Senegal are on three.

The Congolese are not out of it yet but would have to win their last game against neighbours Zambia in Mohammedia to stand any chance.

Morocco finish their Group A campaign on Saturday in Rabat against Senegal.