Super Falcons’ 90 minutes from 10th WAFCON title

As the curtain falls on the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tonight, history is poised to be written at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, Morocco. In the final showdown, Nigeria’s Super Falcons—nine-time continental champions—clash with Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses, a team on the brink of lifting their first-ever continental title. For Nigeria, it is […]

As the curtain falls on the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tonight, history is poised to be written at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.

In the final showdown, Nigeria’s Super Falcons—nine-time continental champions—clash with Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses, a team on the brink of lifting their first-ever continental title.

For Nigeria, it is a quest to reassert their dominance. For Morocco, it is about making history on home turf and announcing a new power in African women’s football. This is a clash of the dominant power and one of the emerging powers of women’s football on the continent.

Nigeria’s dominance in women’s football across Africa has been both profound and sustained. Underpinned by superior athleticism, tactical intelligence and an enduring hunger for success, the Super Falcons have constructed an enviable legacy that other countries envied and strived to attain.

 

Head-to-head between Nigeria and Morocco

On October 17, 1998 at the second-ever WAFCON, Nigeria dismantled Morocco 8–0, a margin that signified a gulf between the established powerhouse and a fledgling hopeful. Nkiru Okosieme, Patience Avre and Rita Nwadike weighed in with a brace each, while Mercy Akide and Florence Omagbemi scored one each.

Two years later, in 2000 at the second edition hosted by South Africa, the Super Falcons again dominated, this time with a 6–0 victory with a brace each by the fabulous Mercy Akide and Kikelomo Ajayi, and one each by Maureen Madu and Nwadike.

Those were the days when the two teams seemed to be playing different games—Nigeria soaring with confidence, Morocco still trying to find their footing.

All of that changed in mid-2022 under the floodlights of Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. Bolstered by passionate home support and rising technical confidence, Morocco rewrote their narrative.

A record-breaking crowd of 45,562 fans watched as the Atlas Lionesses squared off against Nigeria in a tense WAFCON semi-final. The Super Falcons took the lead through Uchenna Kanu in the 62nd minute, but Sanaa Mssoudy swiftly responded, leveling the score minutes later.

The match saw miraculous resilience. Morocco finished with 9 players following two red cards, yet they stood firm—a testament to discipline, grit and the buoyancy of home support.

With everything riding on penalties, Morocco emerged triumphant: 5–4, becoming the first North African side to eliminate Nigeria at WAFCON—a moment that shattered expectations and reverberated across the continent.

It was not just a win, it was a seismic shift—Morocco was no longer merely a competitor but a contender.

 

The road to 2024 WAFCON final

Morocco

Tipped to defend their momentum, Morocco entered WAFCON 2024 in Group A, alongside Zambia, Senegal and DR Congo. They began courageously, drawing 2–2 with Zambia—a match that tested their defence but underscored their belief.

Building on that, they triumphed 4–2 over DR Congo, reclaiming their attacking flair. A 1–0 win against Senegal sealed top spot in the group, earned on goal difference thanks to an impressive tally of seven goals. The Lionesses roared to knockout stages, propelled by their vocal home crowd.

In the quarterfinals, they overcame Mali 3–1, capitalising on their cunning and attacking variety. When facing Ghana in the semifinals, the match ended 1–1 after extra time. Once again, they held their nerve and won 4–2 on penalties—delivering back-to-back shootout victories and securing a dream final berth.

 

Nigeria

Nigeria faced a different and equally challenging path in Group B. Drawn with Tunisia, Botswana and Algeria, the Super Falcons asserted dominance early, defeating Tunisia 3–0, followed by 1–0 victory over Botswana, and then, a stalemated 0–0 with Algeria. They finished top, unbeaten, with seven points scored and none conceded.

Their quarter-final match was a clinic of precision and teamwork: a 5–0 hammering of Zambia, which re-energised both players and supporters alike. In the semi-final, a late hero emerged. Michelle Alozie struck a decisive goal, securing a 2–1 victory over South Africa and punching Nigeria’s ticket to the final.

Morocco’s journey has been marked by organisation and tactical clarity. Captain Ghizlaine Chebbak, with four goals already in the tournament, has spearheaded their ascent. But it is the creativity of midfielders like Fatima Tagnaout and Salma Amani—who have unlocked defenses with intelligence and industry—that signals a new dimension.

Their play from set pieces has also proven decisive, with corners and free-kicks honed by training dedicated to execution. In their last two matches, both entered penalty shootouts—and both were won—showing a psychological resilience rarely associated with their past iterations.

Buoyed by a home crowd that has become the proverbial “12th player,” Morocco have surged beyond token contenders to look every bit like genuine champions.

In the same way, the Super Falcons rely on what they have always had, which are tactical smarts, physical presence and bench depth. They field 9 different goal scorers, showcasing attacking versatility. Chinwendu Ihezuo leads their scoring with three goals while stalwarts like Chiamaka Nnadozie is the goalkeeper, Osinachi Ohale in defence, and midfield anchors, Rasheedat Ajibade, Halimatu Ayinde and Christy Ucheibe ensure solidity.

Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, especially, has been influential—earning three Player of the Match awards. Where Morocco thrive on organisation and confidence, Nigeria draw upon tactical acumen, stubborn defence and a relentless engine room.

This final is more than just a championship match—it is a clash of sentimental and sporting narratives.

Nigeria, the continental queens, are back in the final for the 10th time—a near-perfect record of supreme consistency. A win in Morocco isn’t just another title; it is a reaffirmation of a legacy.

Morocco, the challengers, seek to complete a transformation initiated in 2022. A victory in front of their home fans would be historic and generational.

Speaking ahead of the blockbuster clash, Coach Justin Madugu said Super Falcons had not come this far to think of anything but reclaiming the trophy they had won a total of 9 times out of the previous 12 championships.

“We thank God for making it to the final. I want to assure you that we are not going to relent or take our eyes off the ball. Our focus is on lifting the trophy in Rabat on Saturday.

“We knew that South Africa, as cup holders, would be difficult, but we were ready for them. I am glad that our tactics paid off. As I said before the tournament, we will always assess the opposition first and then determine what tactics would suit us better and serve our purpose. We have done these in our previous five games and we will do the same in the final,” Madugu said as the nine-time champions packed their bags to leave Morocco’s industrial and economic capital, Casablanca on Wednesday afternoon.

On Saturday evening, Rabat stadium will bear witness to a confrontation that transcends sport. It is a legacy against ambition, proven excellence against push and prove, tradition against transformation. One country will be crowned continental champion, the other will win hearts, inspire futures and measure how close they came.

Whether it is Nigeria extending their grip or Morocco forging theirs, one thing is certain: History will be made in Rabat, on this stage, in this moment tonight.