Morocco clinched top spot in Group A of the Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) on Friday with a 1-0 win over Senegal in Rabat, while Burkina Faso and Uganda were eliminated as they played out a 2-2 draw in Casablanca.
The top-of-the-table clash between two teams already qualified for the quarterfinals got off to a quiet start, though Morocco were the dominant team from the get-go.
After knocking on the door for some time, the hosts finally took the lead in the 55th minute, with Ghizlane Chebbak scoring via the penalty spot.
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Hapsatou Malado Diallo's appeal for a penalty was waved away at the other end 69 minutes in. The 17-year-old continued to cause problems for the Morocco defence thereafter.
However, the hosts were ultimately too strong and clinched three points and a major psychological boost ahead of the knockout stage.
Burkina Faso and Uganda each knew that only a win would keep their hopes alive of progressing as one of the two best third-placed teams, but in a scrappy encounter they ultimately played each other out of contention.
In the eighth minute, Uganda took the lead. Margret Kunihira received a cross at the far post from Shamirah Nalugya and had a go at goal, which was fumbled by Burkina Faso goalkeeper Mariam Ouattara and allowed to roll into the net.
Things went from bad to worse for Burkina Faso, as they then saw Madinatou Rouamba sent off in the 17th minute after her reckless challenge from behind was sent up for a VAR check.
However, in the 35th minute, Adama Congo went on a superb solo run and levelled the scores.
Another poor piece of goalkeeping allowed Sandra Nabweteme to put Uganda in front again in the 39th minute as her low shot went underneath Ouattara.
Burkina Faso struck straight back when Daisy Nakaziro spilled a cross into the path of Naomi Kabré, who finished from close range to level the scores heading into the break.
Neither team could break the deadlock in the second half. Burkina Faso claimed third place in the group on goal difference but, with two other third-placed teams in the tournament having already surpassed their solitary point, they bow out together with Uganda.