The hosts took control before the interval, with Sakina Ouzraoui breaking the deadlock in the 31st minute. Hanane Ait El Haj delivered a deep cross into the area, and Ouzraoui met it with a volley that sailed over South African goalkeeper Kaylin Swart.
Morocco could have extended their advantage before the break when Ghizlane Chebbak spotted Swart off her line. However, her attempt flew over the crossbar, leaving Morocco with a 1-0 lead at half-time.
El Haj eventually doubled the advantage shortly after the restart from the penalty spot. South Africa defender Noxolo Cesane was penalised for bringing down Chebbak, allowing El Haj to confidently place the spot-kick into the corner.
The reigning African champions responded through Thembi Kgatlana with 23 minutes remaining. Karabo Dhlamini's pass released Kgatlana beyond the offside line, and she kept her composure to fire a low finish into the net.
South Africa then enjoyed plenty of possession but failed to create another goal, as Morocco held on to avoid extra-time. The result also offered Morocco a measure of retribution for their 2-1 loss to South Africa in the 2022 WAFCON final.
Morocco, who first appeared at the Women's World Cup in 2023, have now secured another appearance on the global stage, with the 2027 tournament set to be held in Brazil.
South Africa's defeat means they must pursue qualification through the inter-confederation play-offs. They will face the loser of Sunday's Cameroon-Nigeria quarter-final on Thursday, with three World Cup berths available through the play-offs.
Morocco will meet the winner of Cameroon and Nigeria in the WAFCON semi-finals. The eventual winner of that quarter-final defeated Morocco in the 2024 WAFCON final.
Lebogang Ramalepe believes Banyana Banyana must respond to the rapid growth of women's football across Africa if they are to return to the heights they reached in recent years.
Malawi have made history after defeating Ghana 2-1 on Sunday to reach the semi-finals of the CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time.
Algeria booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations after overturning a one-goal deficit to beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in the quarter-finals.
Banyana Banyana's Nonhlanhla Mthandi believes the team's difficult journey through the WAFCON group stage has strengthened their resolve ahead of Saturday's quarter-final showdown against hosts Morocco.
