Jraidi brace helps Morocco seal last-four spot
Two goals from striker Ibtissam Jraidi helped Morocco to a 3-1 win over Mali at the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, sending the host nation into the semi-finals to the delight of the home crowd in Rabat.
Jraidi opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a simple tap-in after receiving a cross from the right from Sakina Ouzraoui.
Mali, which had the opening chance of the match, thought it had equalised 10 minutes before the break when Aicha Samake sent a looping free-kick towards goal and saw it drift in at the far post.
But the goal was disallowed for offside, despite the Mali runners Samake was aiming for not touching the ball before it found the back of the net.
The second half saw both sides threaten in a tight contest, but it was the Atlas Lionesses that got the next breakthrough from the penalty spot with 11 minutes remaining.
Sanaa Mssoudy carried the ball into the Mali box and was felled by Kani Konte as she checked back, and Jraidi made no mistake from the spot, blasting the ball high into the goal for 2-0.
Kenza Chapelle was credited with Morocco's third after her cross was fumbled by Mali goalkeeper Fatoumata Karentao and went in off the post with a minute left on the clock.
Mali bagged a consolation in the seventh minute of stoppage-time when Aissata Traore scored from the spot after a Ghizlane Chebbak handball in the area, but that was to be the last action of a match Mali never looked like winning.
