WAFCON: Morocco, Algeria clash in historic third-place tie

Hosts Morocco and Algeria are set to face off for third place at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in a match that carries historical significance. This encounter marks the first time two North African nations will compete for a medal at the tournament, and it is also the first time two teams from the same region will contest the third-place play-off, according to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

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This will be the first meeting between two North African teams in a medal match at WAFCON.

Morocco enters the match aiming for their third top-three finish at WAFCON, having been runners-up in 2022 and 2024. Algeria, meanwhile, is guaranteed its best-ever performance in the competition, regardless of Saturday's outcome. The two sides previously met in the group stage, with Morocco securing a narrow 1-0 victory thanks to Sanaa Mssoudy's late goal.

CAF highlighted that this is only the third instance in WAFCON history where teams that previously played each other in the group stage will meet again in the third-place play-off. Morocco's path to this match saw them eliminated by Cameroon in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw in the semi-finals. This defeat ended their bid for a third consecutive final appearance and marked the first time they failed to reach at least the final as hosts.

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In 2012, Nigeria defeated Cameroon 2-1 in the group stages before the Indomitable Lionesses gained revenge with a 1-0 win in the third-place play-off.

Morocco's semi-final performance also saw them struggle offensively, despite dominating possession and passes. Their penalty shootout against Cameroon also ended a streak of 10 consecutive successful spot-kicks, with Kenza Chapelle missing the first penalty for Morocco in a WAFCON shootout. Algeria's semi-final journey concluded with a 3-1 loss to Malawi.

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Chapelle became “the first Moroccan player to fail to convert in a WAFCON shoot-out.”