South Africa responded almost immediately through Kgatlana, who got her first sight of goal just a minute later. The Banyana Banyana forward could not keep her effort down as her attempt also sailed over the bar. Beyond a place in the semi-finals, the winner was also guaranteed automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. With renewed belief, South Africa pushed forward in search of the equaliser that would have forced the quarter-final into extra time. Semi-final berth seals World Cup qualificationThe significance of the victory extended beyond Morocco’s progress in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.