Nigeria’s Super Falcons will battle host nation Morocco in the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Saturday, setting up a highly anticipated rematch of their 2022 semi-final clash.
The Nigerian team booked their place in the final after a thrilling 2-1 victory over defending champions South Africa. Rasheedat Ajibade opened the scoring from the penalty spot just before halftime, but South Africa responded with a 60th-minute penalty from Linda Motlhalo.
With the match heading towards extra time, defender Michelle Alozie stunned the opposition by floating a long ball into the box that went untouched and landed in the net four minutes into stoppage time, sealing a dramatic win for the Super Falcons.
In the second semi-final, Morocco edged Ghana 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time. Ghana’s Stella Nyamekye scored first in the 26th minute, before Sakina Ouzraoui Diki equalised in the 55th for the hosts. The Atlas Lionesses held their nerve in the shootout, sparking wild celebrations in Rabat.
Saturday’s clash in Stade Olympique, Rabat, will rekindle memories of their 2022 semi-final showdown, where Nigeria — reduced to nine players after two red cards — lost 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
This time, however, Nigeria is chasing “Mission X” — the team’s campaign slogan for a record 10th WAFCON title. The Super Falcons have won the tournament nine times, more than any other team, missing out only in three editions. South Africa and Equatorial Guinea are the only other winners in the tournament’s history.
For Morocco, a win would mark their first-ever WAFCON title, a perfect redemption after their 2022 final loss to South Africa, also on home soil.
This edition of WAFCON, originally scheduled for 2023, was postponed due to a clash with the 2024 Paris Olympic Games women’s football calendar. Morocco is also set to host the next edition in 2026.
All eyes will be on Rabat this weekend, as two of Africa’s top women’s football nations go head-to-head for continental glory.
