Morocco finished top of Group A at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) after Yasmin Mrabet’s penalty was enough to earn the hosts a 1-0 victory over Senegal, while Zambia also won to secure their passage to the quarter-finals.

Morocco emerged triumphant from a scrappy encounter in Rabat which rested on a controversial decision made with the help of VAR late in the first half.

Referee Shamirah Nabadda initially appeared to miss a coming together between Senegal goalkeeper Adji Ndiaye and Morocco striker Ibtissam Jraidi, but replays clearly showed Ndiaye strike her opponent in the face with one forearm while carrying the ball with the other.

After a lengthy delay, Nabadda was advised to go to the monitor by video assistant referee Maria Rivet, and although screens in the media tribune said it was to check a possible red card, Ugandan Nabadda pointed to the spot instead and issued the fortunate Ndiaye with only a yellow.

Mrabet kept her cool to send the keeper the wrong way in the second minute of stoppage time, converting Morocco’s third penalty of the group stage.

The result means the Atlas Lionesses finish Group A unbeaten with seven points, ahead of Zambia on goal difference after the Copper Queens beat DR Congo 1-0 in their final fixture in Mohammedia.

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Racheal Kundananji’s ninth-minute goal was enough to see off the Leopardesses, who had midfielder Falonne Pambani sent off in the 69th minute for a foul on Ireen Lungu.

Zambia face the winners of Group B in the last eight, which will provide a blockbuster clash against Nigeria if the record nine-time Wafcon winners avoid defeat against Algeria on Sunday (19:00 GMT).

Morocco, meanwhile, will take on the third-placed finisher in Group B or Group C.

Senegal ended third in Group A with three points and must wait to see if they progress to the quarter-finals as one of the two best-ranked third-place sides.

Officials take centre stage

The atmosphere inside the Olympic Stadium was crackling with anticipation ahead of kick-off and, for the first time this tournament, there was not a spare seat to be seen.

Pounding drums helped lift the volume further, while giant Moroccan flags waved in a stiff breeze that made conditions far cooler once the sun went down.

But fans hoping to be entertained by two teams who had found goalscoring easy in their first two group games were left disappointed by a stop-start affair that often threatened to become ill-tempered.

While the decision for Mrabet’s goal was the most important intervention of the evening, the assistant referees’ flags also played a key role.

Both teams had the ball in the net during the 90 minutes, only to see it ruled out by a late flag for offside. Jraidi and Senegal forward Nguenar Ndiaye also saw the flag go up following good chances they failed to finish.

While most of those offside decisions were clear, VAR had to intervene again in added time at the end of the game after Morocco captain Ghizlane Chebbak found the back of the net.

Referee Nabadda was also busy keeping discipline in what developed into a niggly affair, issuing a total of seven yellow cards.

While Senegal huffed and puffed the West Africans never really looked like creating much in the way of clear chances.

The hosts always looked the superior footballing side and saw Chebbak and Jraidi also spurn excellent opportunities that were onside.

Topping the group means Morocco stay in the capital Rabat for their quarter-final on Friday, while Zambia remain in Mohammedia for their clash the same day.

If Senegal do manage to progress, the Lionesses of Teranga will travel to Oujda to take on the winners of Group C next Saturday.