The Atlas Lionesses will face South Africa this Saturday, August 8, in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Kickoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. at Rabat’s Moulay El Hassan Stadium, where Morocco will count on home support as they look to secure their place in the semifinals.
After finishing top of Group A, Jorge Vilda’s side head into the game with confidence. Morocco made a strong start to the tournament with a convincing 4-0 win over Kenya, before beating Algeria 1-0 and drawing 0-0 with Senegal.
With seven points, Ghizlane Chebbak’s teammates finished top of their group and will now face South Africa for a place in the semifinals.
The Banyana Banyana, meanwhile, have had a more difficult run. South Africa opened the tournament with a 2-1 defeat to Tanzania before drawing 2-2 with Côte d’Ivoire. The South Africans eventually secured qualification with a 1-0 win over Burkina Faso, finishing second in their group.
The match gives the Atlas Lionesses an opportunity to avenge that defeat and continue their run in this home tournament. They will face South Africa four years after the 2022 Women’s AFCON final, which was also played in Rabat.
Morocco, then coached by Frenchman Reynald Pedros, lost 2-1, missing out on the first continental title in their history in front of their home crowd.
A win would send Morocco to the AFCON semifinals for the third consecutive edition, following the 2022 and 2024 tournaments. A place in the last four would also secure the Atlas Lionesses an automatic spot at the 2027 Women’s World Cup, which will be held in Brazil.
Morocco-South Africa will kick off at 9 p.m. and will be broadcast on Arryadia, the third channel of SNRT. The match will also be available on beIN Sports, British broadcaster Channel 4, DAZN in Europe, Ziggo, as well as CANAL+ in French-speaking Africa, among others.
