Morocco and Tunisia reach Women’s African Cup of Nations quarter-finals

North Africa’s two contenders in the Women’s African Cup of Nations have made it through to the knockout stages of the competition, setting up two fiery quarter-finals as they vie for a spot in next year's Women's World Cup.

Hosts Morocco, nicknamed the ‘Atlas Lionesses’, eased through the group stages with comfortable wins against Uganda, Burkina Faso and Senegal in front of packed home crowds.

They have earned themselves a meeting with underdogs Botswana in the last eight on Wednesday. 

On the other side of the draw to Morocco, Tunisia now face tournament frontrunners South Africa in a trickier encounter.

The ‘Eagles of Carthage’ got off to a sprightly start against Togo, putting four goals past the Sub-Saharan team, but then faltered against the stiffer opposition of Zambia and Cameroon. 

Tunisia’s route to the finals was completed after resounding back-to-back wins over Egypt, including a 6-2 drubbing in Cairo.

If either team makes it through to the semi-finals, they will be guaranteed a lucrative spot at next year's Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

"We are 90 minutes away from Morocco's historic World Cup qualification. We will do everything for that and to win the title. The cup must stay at home,” Moroccan midfielder Najat Badri said in the press conference after the latest victory.

It would be the first time either Tunisia or Morocco have made it to the Women’s World Cup to perform at the game’s highest level.