Morocco vs Ghana: 2025 WAFCON semifinal preview, prediction

Morocco vs Ghana in the 2025 WAFCON semifinal. Photo Credit- Author’s collage

Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses face the Black Queens of Ghana in a thrilling 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations- WAFCON semifinal on July 22, 2025, 19:00 GMT (20:00 WAT), at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. The hosts, fueled by a passionate home crowd and a potent attack led by Ghizlane Chebbak, aim to reach their second consecutive final and claim a maiden title. Ghana, defying expectations under new leadership, bring pace and resilience, seeking their first final since 2006.

Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses team form

The hosts have been a force at the 2025 WAFCON, reaching their second consecutive semifinal with a commanding 3-1 victory over Mali in the quarterfinals. They topped Group A with seven points, drawing 2-2 with Zambia, defeating DR Congo 4-0, and edging Senegal 1-0 via a controversial penalty. Ghizlane Chebbak’s four goals, including a hat-trick against DR Congo, make her the tournament’s top scorer, while Ibtissam Jraidi’s brace against Mali underlined their attacking depth. Morocco’s seven goals in the group stage tied for the highest, but their six goals conceded reveal defensive frailties. Under coach Jorge Vilda, who led Spain to the 2023 World Cup title, the Atlas Lionesses are driven by a partisan home crowd and a desire to avenge their 2022 final loss to South Africa.

Atlas Lionesses tactics

Vilda’s 4-2-3-1 formation emphasizes possession and attacking flair, with over 70% possession against Zambia. Ghizlane Chebbak operates as a deep-lying playmaker, creating chances for Ibtissam Jraidi and wingers like Sakina Ouzraoui. Yasmin Mrabet and Najat Badri provide midfield stability, while strategic substitutions, such as Elodie Nakkach and Sanaa Mssoudy, maintain momentum. Morocco’s strength lies in their attacking output (10 goals in four games), but their slow defenders are vulnerable to counterattacks, as exposed by Zambia’s Barbra Banda. Expect Vilda to exploit Ghana’s defensive gaps with quick passing and set pieces, while tightening up at the back to counter Ghana’s pacey forwards.

Atlas Lionesses team news and injuries

Ghizlane Chebbak (4 goals) and Ibtissam Jraidi (3 goals) are in top form, with Sakina Ouzraoui’s wing play (2 assists) crucial. Yasmin Mrabet’s versatility and penalty-taking ability add depth. No major injuries reported. Fatima Tagnaout, substituted against Mali, is fit after a precautionary withdrawal. Vilda has stuck with a consistent starting XI, with Kenza Chapelle’s late goal off the bench against Mali proving the squad’s depth.

Expected Lineup (4-2-3-1): Er-Rmichi; Redouani, El Haj, Mrabet, Amani; Badri, Nakkach; Ouzraoui, Chebbak, Tagnaout; Jraidi.

Ghana’s Black Queens team form

Ghana have defied expectations, reaching the semifinals for the first time since 2016 after a 1-0 victory over Algeria in the quarterfinals. Their Group C campaign was inconsistent, starting with a 2-0 loss to South Africa, followed by a 1-1 draw with Mali and a 4-1 rout of Tanzania, securing their spot as a best third-placed team. The Black Queens’ late flurry against Tanzania, scoring three goals in the final 28 minutes, showcased their attacking potential, led by Alice Kusi and Evelyn Badu. Despite a new coach following Nora Hauptle’s departure to Zambia, Ghana’s aggressive pressing and resilience have kept them competitive, though their three goals scored in the group stage reflect struggles with clinical finishing.

Black Queens tactics

Ghana’s coach, Kim Lars Bjorkegren employs a 4-3-3, focusing on high pressing and rapid transitions. Alice Kusi and Doris Boaduwaa’s pace on the wings, combined with Evelyn Badu’s runs from midfield, stretch defenses. Grace Asantewaa anchors the midfield, but Ghana’s defense, led by Portia Boakye, has been inconsistent, conceding four goals in the group stage. Critics suggest Ghana could adopt a compact, counterattacking approach, mimicking Algeria and Botswana’s success against Morocco by defending deep and exploiting transitions with Kusi, Boaduwaa, and Princella Marfo. Their challenge will be converting chances against Morocco’s experienced goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi.

Black Queens team news and injuries

Alice Kusi and Evelyn Badu, who hit the woodwork against South Africa, are Ghana’s main threats, with Doris Boaduwaa’s pace adding flair. Princella Marfo’s emergence has boosted their attack. No confirmed injuries, but Ghana’s squad depth is thinner after Hauptle’s departure, with no updates on new signings or late call-ups. The Black Queens rely on experienced players like Portia Boakye and Cynthia Konlan in goal, with Marfo likely to start after her impact against Tanzania.

Expected Lineup (4-3-3): Konlan; Amoako, Boakye, Danso, Tweneboaa; Asantewaa, Badu, Adubea; Kusi, Marfo, Boaduwaa.

Morocco vs Ghana head-to-head statistics

Morocco and Ghana have met three times at WAFCON, with Ghana winning 1-0 in 2018, Morocco winning 3-1 in a 2022 friendly, and a 1-1 draw in a 2023 friendly. Ghana’s 2018 victory was their only competitive win, but Morocco’s recent home form and 2022 friendly win give them an edge. The Atlas Lionesses are unbeaten in their last four WAFCON matches against West African teams. Matches between the two are typically tight, with under 2.5 goals in two of their three encounters. Morocco’s 10 tournament goals contrast with Ghana’s 5, suggesting a potential mismatch in firepower. Morocco’s home advantage and 60,000-strong crowd in 2022 showed their fanbase’s impact, which Ghana must overcome in Rabat.

Morocco vs Ghana score prediction

Morocco enter as favorites, buoyed by home support and a superior goal-scoring record, but Ghana’s pacey counterattacks pose a threat to the Atlas Lionesses’ slow defense. Chebbak and Jraidi’s form should exploit Ghana’s inconsistent backline, particularly on set pieces, but Kusi and Boaduwaa could punish Morocco on the break. Ghana’s high-pressing style may disrupt Morocco’s rhythm early, but Vilda’s tactical discipline and substitutions are likely to tilt the game. Posts on social media predict a narrow Morocco win (2-1), aligning with their attacking edge and Ghana’s need for a defensive masterclass.

Predicted Scoreline: Morocco 2-1 Ghana. Morocco’s attacking depth and home crowd advantage should overpower Ghana’s resilience. A Chebbak set-piece goal or Jraidi’s clinical finishing could prove decisive, though Kusi or Marfo may grab one on the counter. Extra time is possible if Ghana hold firm.