BY KUNLE SOLAJA

As the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) kicks off in Morocco, all eyes are once again on perennial champions Nigeria, whose dominance in the competition is unrivalled. The Super Falcons begin their quest for a record-extending 10th continental title with a Group B opener against Tunisia on Sunday, July 7, in Casablanca.

In Spanish football parlance, a tenth title is ‘La Decima’.

Nigeria: The Undisputed Giants of African Women’s Football

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have been the gold standard of women’s football on the continent since the inception of the WAFCON in 1998. With nine championship titles, Nigeria are tied for the most continental trophies globally, alongside China in Asia and the USA in North and Central America.

Their titles came in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018, with the team reaching at least the semi-finals in all 12 editions they’ve participated in. They also boast podium finishes in 2008 (third place), and two fourth-place results in 2012 and the most recent edition in 2022.

Between 1998 and 2006, the Falcons swept the first five consecutive editions of the tournament, setting a standard of excellence no other team has come close to matching. Only Equatorial Guinea (three titles) and South Africa (one) have managed to break Nigeria’s grip on the trophy.

A Tournament of Records

Statistically, Nigeria remain a force unmatched:

• 61 matches played at the finals – more than any other nation.
• 45 wins, 9 draws, and only 7 losses.
• 176 goals scored (an average of 2.89 goals per game), and just 28 conceded.
• 12 tournament openers: 8 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses.

Their biggest opening-game win remains the 8-0 thrashing of Morocco in 1998. In total, Nigeria have scored 40 goals in tournament openers, conceding just 8—though 6 of those goals have come in their last five opening matches, indicating a recent dip in early tournament dominance.

In a rare downturn, Nigeria have lost their opening match at the last two editions—1-0 to South Africa in 2018 and 2-1 to the same opponents in 2022. This contrasts with an earlier streak where they went unbeaten in their first 10 openers (W8 D2), including four straight opening wins between 2010 and 2016.

They’ve faced Ghana and South Africa twice each in WAFCON openers—the most of any opponents—yet have not beaten either (2 draws vs Ghana, 2 losses vs South Africa).

Qualification and Group Stage Form

The Super Falcons secured their spot in the Morocco 2024 tournament by defeating Cape Verde 5-0 in Abuja and 2-1 away in Praia, overcoming an early goal conceded in the return leg. This match against Tunisia will mark Nigeria’s 37th group-stage game in WAFCON history, where they’ve posted 28 wins, 5 draws, and only 3 defeats—against Ghana in 2002, and South Africa in both 2018 and 2022.

Remarkably, between their 2002 loss and the 2018 setback, Nigeria went unbeaten in 22 consecutive group games (W18 D4), underlining their sustained dominance.

Tunisia: Still Finding Their Feet

In contrast, the Tunisians are relative newcomers to the competition. This year marks only their third WAFCON appearance after debuting in 2008 and returning in 2022.

 In their last outing, they reached the quarter-finals—a national best—after beating Togo 4-1 in their opening match.

However, they’ve struggled since that high point, losing four straight matches including a 1-0 defeat to South Africa in the 2022 quarter-finals and failing to score in their last 372 minutes of WAFCON football.

Their all-time record in the finals stands at 1 win, 2 draws, and 5 defeats, with four of those losses coming by a single-goal margin. Notably, one of their two clean sheets in WAFCON history came in a 0-0 draw against Nigeria in 2008—a result they would love to repeat or improve upon in Casablanca.

Key Players to Watch

For Nigeria, the spotlight will fall on experienced stars and the new generation of talent expected to uphold the nation’s legacy. Tunisia, meanwhile, will be banking on forward Sabrine Ellouzi, who scored seven goals in the qualifiers, and veteran striker Mariem Houij, who netted once in the 2022 tournament.

Ellouzi was instrumental in Tunisia’s qualification, scoring in all four matches across two rounds—against Niger (12-1 aggregate win) and Congo (6-3 aggregate win)—including a hat-trick and braces in each round.

A Clash of Histories and Aspirations

While the Nigerians enter as overwhelming favourites given their historical pedigree, they will be wary of recent trends, having lost two consecutive openers and shown signs of vulnerability in early tournament fixtures.

 The Tunisians, still building their tournament profile, will aim to frustrate the Falcons and perhaps cause a shock result.

The match promises to be more than just a contest of skills. It will be a battle between a nation seeking to reassert its supremacy. The other nation is looking to write a new chapter in its football history.

Kick-off is set for 5:00 PM Nigerian time on Sunday, July 7, at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA

The President General of the Nigerian Football Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Super Eagles goalkeeper and captain, Peter Rufai, describing his passing as a monumental loss to Nigerian football.

In a heartfelt tribute on Friday, Ladipo lamented the growing number of fallen Nigerian sports heroes and called for national reflection and prayer in the wake of Rufai’s demise.

“Another big tree has fallen. What is it that is happening to our heroes? Why are we losing them one after the other?” he asked in an emotional statement. “Oh God, Peter Rufai is gone. The man who served Nigeria meritoriously for years.”

Ladipo fondly recalled Rufai’s iconic role in Nigeria’s football history, particularly his contribution to the national team’s success in the 1990s.

“He was our number one goalkeeper in Tunisia ’94, when we won the Africa Cup of Nations. He stood tall again at the USA ’94 World Cup and was there in France ’98. He was a winner all the time.”

Rufai, affectionately known as “Dodo Mayana,” passed away on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the age of 61. He remains one of Nigeria’s most celebrated goalkeepers, with a legacy that spans more than a decade of international service and over 60 caps for the Super Eagles.

Ladipo is devastated by the death of Peter Rufai

Ladipo expressed pain that Rufai died at a time he was still actively giving back to Nigerian football and youth development. “How could Peter Rufai leave when he was trying to give back, at a time he was needed most?” he asked.

He called on Nigerians to unite in prayers for the country, especially its athletes and sports heroes. “We must come together and start to fervently pray for this country, asking God Almighty to kindly have mercy,” he urged.

“May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace,” Ladipo concluded.

The late Rufai’s death has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian football community, with tributes pouring in from former teammates, fans, and sports administrators across the country and beyond.

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Host nation Morocco were held to a dramatic 2-2 draw by Zambia in the opening match of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Saturday night at the Stade Olympique in Rabat, breaking a 20-year trend of hosts winning their tournament openers.

The Copper Queens of Zambia stunned the packed stadium with a lightning-fast start, netting within the first minute. Barbra Banda capitalised on a quick counter-attack initiated by Margaret Belemu, firing a precise low shot into the bottom left corner to silence the home crowd.

Unfazed by the early setback, Morocco responded with urgency. Their sustained pressure paid off in the 12th minute when Najat Badri was fouled in the box by Grace Chanda. After a brief VAR check, the referee awarded a penalty, which Ibtissam Jraïdi converted confidently into the top corner to draw the Lionesses level.

Zambia, however, continued to threaten on the break. In the 27th minute, Banda turned creator, threading a perfectly weighted pass to Racheal Kundananji, who slotted past Moroccan goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi to restore Zambia’s lead.

The first half ended 2-1 in favour of Zambia, with Morocco ruing missed chances, particularly from Fatima Tagnaout and captain Ghizlane Chebbak.

The second half saw Morocco take control, dominating possession and launching wave after wave of attack. Zambian goalkeeper Ng’ambo Musole was called into action several times, notably parrying a thunderous effort from Sanaâ Mssoudy.

The breakthrough finally came in the 87th minute when Chebbak, from outside the box, unleashed a spectacular strike into the top corner, sending the Rabat crowd into a frenzy and salvaging a crucial point for the hosts.

Despite a frantic finale, neither side could find a winner. The result ends a streak dating back to 2006 in which WAFCON host nations had always won their opening match.

With the draw, both Morocco and Zambia remain firmly in contention in Group A as they turn their focus to the next round of fixtures in what promises to be a tightly contested group stage.

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