The WAFCON 2024 has reached the business end with hosts Morocco booking their spot in a second consecutive final where they will face nine-time record African champions Nigeria on Saturday, July 26 at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat. 

This will be the fourth meeting between the two teams at the WAFCON with the Atlas Lionesses emerging victorious in their last meeting: a 5-4 win after a tense penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in the semifinals of the WAFCON 2022 in Rabat. 

Rookies to serious title contenders

When Morocco embarked on an intentional Women’s Football Strategy five years ago, winning major trophies was part of the plan. And ahead of this weekend’s final, it is not a surprise to any Moroccan that the team is standing up tall against the best teams in Africa.

Prior to the 2022 edition, Morocco had made two appearances at the continent’s biggest showpiece amassing a win and a draw in two editions – in 1998 and 2000 while conceding 22 goals and scoring five. In their third appearance – this time at home in front of their fans, they went to the final but fell to a very well-oiled South African side 1-2.  

They are back now – bigger, stronger and ready to fight again and give something to their fans who have filled the Olympic Stadium to the brim every match day in Rabat.

The leadership of captain Ghizlane Chebbak, the individual brilliance and growth of Fatima Tagnaout, Sanaa Mssoudy, Ibtissam Jraidi and Sakina Ouzraoui within the team collective has been a revelation to the Moroccan fans who are now scrambling to buy tickets for the final to witness what could be history – a first WAFCON title. They believe their dreams are valid. 

An AFCON title in 1976 for the Atlas Lions is the best Morocco has amassed coupled with a first ever semifinal finish for an African team at a FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022 is what the current generation can relate to as success for their football teams on the global scene. 

The weight of these dreams is what the Atlas Lionesses believe they can deliver when they come up against a resilient and dominant Nigerian outfit. 

Their journey in 2025 has been yet another fairytale – coming from behind twice to hold a strong Zambian side to a 2-2 draw in their opener to seeing off DR Congo 4-2 thanks to a Chebbak hattrick before edging Senegal 1-0 in a tightly contested game to finish top of Group A. 

The Atlas Lionesses looked comfortable as they cruised to a convincing 3-1 win against Mali to set up a date with Ghana in the semifinals. The Black Queens tested their resolve on the day, taking the game to extra time and penalties. It took goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi’s magic to deny teenage sensation Comfort Yeboah and an Evelyn Badu miss earlier for the Atlas Lionesses to progress to the coveted final. 

In their journey to the final, Morocco have scored an impressive 11 goals while conceding in every match they have played – a total of six goals. Er-Rmichi is yet to keep a clean sheet. 

Whatever happens, Morocco have shown once again that they belong to the big stage after years of building a team that is hungry to write history. 

Mission X in sight

Social media has been abuzz with talk of a Mission X for the Super Falcons of Nigeria for months now. All stakeholders are locked in on this undertaking. For the players, they have shown that they are the team to beat every time that they have stepped onto the field. 

Group B leaders after three games with seven points from a 3-0 win over Tunisia, a 1-0 victory over Botswana and a goalless draw with Algeria.

The Super Falcons booked their place in the quarterfinals marking a 13^th straight time that they have made it out of the group stages at the WAFCON since the first edition of the continent’s biggest showpiece in 1998

A convincing 5-0 victory over Zambia in the last eight in what was anticipated to be a tightly contested encounter sent a clear message to any doubters that the Super Falcons are not only the most decorated team on the African continent – female or male but they are also serious title contenders. 

At the heart of this campaign, captain Rasheedat Ajibade has proven that pedigree is what sets Nigeria apart. The team also thrives on their hunger for more success year in, year out.

The 25-year-old plays for Atletico Madrid in Spain. She has earned three Woman of the Match Awards in five games. She is the only player to achieve this at the current edition.

Ajibade won her first WAFCON in 2018 at the age of 18. She will be key to her team’s search for a 10^th continental title. This will further extend their dominance in Africa. 

Nigeria head coach Justin Madugu, however, will also have to rely on the experience of the old guard. This includes the reigning African Goalkeeper of the Year, Chiamaka Nnadozie, who has only conceded once this edition.

The only goal against her was a penalty from South Africa’s Linda Motlhalo. He will also count on the hunger of WAFCON debutants who have impressed so far. One standout is ‘assist Queen’, Esther Okoronkwo, who has amassed four assists in five games. 

The Super Falcons have never lost a WAFCON final – nine finals and nine WAFCON titles. To say that this has been impressive over the last 12 editions is an understatement.

However, against Morocco on Saturday, they will not only look for their 10^th title but will also be motivated to protect their legacy. 

-CAFonline

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

On the eve of celebrations marking the 26th anniversary of King Mohammed VI’s ascension to the throne, hosts Morocco delivered a fitting gift to the nation by securing a place in a second successive Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final.

In a gripping semi-final at the Stade Moulay Abdellah in Rabat on Tuesday night, the Atlas Lionesses edged Ghana 4–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in extra time, setting up a high-stakes final showdown with defending champions Nigeria on Saturday

Veteran goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi emerged the hero for Morocco, saving one spot kick while Ghana missed another, as the hosts continued their bid for a maiden continental title on home soil.

Ghana, meanwhile, will face South Africa in the third-place playoff on Friday after falling agonisingly short of reaching their first WAFCON final since 2006.

Ghana Strike First, Morocco Hit Back

The Black Queens made a strong start and deservedly took the lead in the 26th minute when midfielder Stella Nyamekye capitalised on a defensive lapse to fire home from inside the box following a corner.

The goal reflected Ghana’s early dominance, with coach Kim Björkegren’s side pressing high and creating chances through the lively trio of Doris Boaduwaa, Princess Marfo, and Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah.

But spurred on by a partisan home crowd, Morocco regrouped after the break and restored parity in the 55th minute.

Sakina Ouzraoui Diki bundled the ball into the net from close range following sustained pressure and a deflected effort from Ibtissam Jraïdi.

Late Drama and Missed Chances

The equaliser shifted the momentum in favour of the hosts, but Ghana remained a threat on the break, with Princella Adubea and Alice Kusi both coming close in the final moments of regular time.

Extra time saw further twists, as injuries forced key substitutions on both sides. Morocco’s Fatima Tagnaout and Ghana’s Princella Adubea both required treatment, while Ghana’s Evelyn Badu missed a golden opportunity in the 100th minute, heading wide from point-blank range.

As fatigue crept in, Morocco’s Hanane Aït El Haj and Jraïdi tested the Ghanaian defence, while Ghana’s final effort from distance narrowly missed the target, taking the game into penalties.

Penalties: Morocco Hold Their Nerve

In the shootout, Morocco were clinical, converting all four of their spot kicks through Aït El Haj, Jraïdi, Kenza Chapelle, and Anissa Lahmari. Ghana faltered, with Badu firing wide and Comfort Yeboah denied by Er-Rmichi.

The final whistle sparked jubilant celebrations among the Moroccan players and fans, as coach Jorge Vilda’s side reached back-to-back finals and continued their dream of lifting their first WAFCON crown.

Morocco will now face 11-time champions Nigeria in what promises to be a gripping final, a rematch of their memorable 2022 semi-final that ended in a Moroccan triumph.

Ghana, meanwhile, will look to salvage a podium finish when they face South Africa for bronze.

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Nigeria’s Super Falcons, the most successful team in the history of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), have taken another giant step toward a record-extending 10th title after a dramatic 2-1 victory over South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in a pulsating semi-final clash at the Labri Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.

The intense encounter lived up to its billing as a heavyweight showdown between two of the continent’s fiercest rivals.  In beating South Africa, the Nigerian side ended the Banyana Banyana’s unbeaten 15-match run in WAFCON.

Rasheedat Ajibade gave Nigeria the lead on the stroke of halftime with a penalty kick goal in the 45th minute.

South Africa, defending champions and determined to retain their crown, responded with renewed vigour in the second half.

Their persistence paid off in the 60th minute when Linda Motlhalo calmly converted an equaliser, from the penalty spot, silencing the Nigerian supporters momentarily. It was the first and only time that the Nigerian side conceded a goal in the tournament.

With the match seemingly headed for extra time, Nigerian defender Michelle Alozie turned hero in the fourth minute of the added six minutes.

Her late strike, coming deep into stoppage time, shattered South African hearts and sent the Super Falcons into wild celebrations.

Alozie’s goal sealed Nigeria’s place in the final and extinguished the hopes of Banyana Banyana, whose goalkeeper Andile Dlamini had earlier made several crucial saves to keep her side in contention.

The Super Falcons’ victory reinforces their dominance in the continental competition, where they have claimed nine titles in the previous 12 editions.

 The result also marks a sweet revenge for Nigeria, who were eliminated by South Africa in the semi-final of the last tournament in 2022.

Nigeria now awaits the winner of the second semi-final between host nation Morocco and the Black Queens of Ghana to determine their opponent in the final.

With their eyes firmly set on a 10th continental crown, the Super Falcons continue to assert their pedigree as Africa’s undisputed queens of women’s football.

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