Football
Leonard Solms, Special to ESPN 2y

Morocco, Senegal book spots in Women's Africa Cup of Nation quarterfinals

Senegal and Morocco booked their spots in the quarterfinals of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (AWCON) on Tuesday with wins over Burkina Faso and Uganda, respectively, in Rabat.

The opening game of the day in Group A, between Senegal and Burkina Faso, got off to a slow start with both teams sloppy in possession and creating little.

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However, in the 80th minute, Nguenar Ndiaye won a penalty off Alimata Belem, which Korka Fall duly converted to make Senegal the first confirmed quarterfinalists with the only goal of the game.

Hosts Morocco soon followed suit, but did not have everything their way in a 3-1 win over the Crested Cranes.

In the 14th minute, they got off to the ideal start as Tottenham Hotspur's Rosella Ayane won a penalty off Margret Namirimu and converted it, firing into the bottom corner.

However, Sumaya Komuntale equalised in the 32nd minute with a stunning free-kick -- albeit one which Khadija Er-Rmichi should not have allowed to creep in at her near post.

Morocco ultimately proved too strong, however, and edged ahead again in the 68th minute as Nesryne El Chad nodded home Ghizlane Chebbak's free-kick delivery from deep.

Chebbak put the cherry on top in the 82nd minute, sending Ruth Aturo the wrong way from the penalty spot after Komuntale was sent off for a second yellow card.

The final Group A standings will be decided on Friday, when Morocco face Senegal for top spot and Burkina Faso and Uganda face off in a bid to keep their faint quarterfinal hopes alive.

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