While South Africa’s Banyana Banyana fell short of defending their title at the 13th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), they bowed out with honour, earning the prestigious Fair Play Award for their exemplary conduct throughout the tournament in Morocco.

The award, bestowed by the CAF Technical Study Group, is based on a detailed points system that evaluates on-field behaviour, respect for opponents and officials, and overall positive commitment. South Africa tallied an impressive 510 points — a testament to their discipline, sportsmanship, and unwavering respect for the spirit of the game.

A Team That Embodies Sporting Values

Under the guidance of head coach Desiree Ellis, South Africa once again demonstrated why they remain one of the most respected sides in African women’s football. Refiloe Jane and her teammates maintained remarkable composure throughout the competition — avoiding reckless challenges, refraining from excessive protests, and upholding the values of fair competition, even during high-stakes encounters.

Their measured response during tense moments, including the goalless quarterfinal against Senegal (which they won on penalties) and a dramatic semifinal loss to Nigeria, highlighted their maturity and sportsmanship. Despite narrowly missing out on the final, Banyana Banyana’s gracious acceptance of defeat earned them widespread admiration.

A Solid Sporting Campaign

On the pitch, South Africa once again proved their quality. Drawn in Group C, they opened their campaign with a confident 2-0 win over Ghana, followed by a 1-1 draw with Tanzania. A resounding 4-0 victory over Mali secured their place in the quarterfinals.

In the knockout stage, they edged Senegal via penalties after a goalless draw, showcasing tactical intelligence and emotional control. Although their bid to reach a second consecutive final was halted by Nigeria in a narrow 2-1 semifinal defeat, South Africa’s performance reinforced their status as one of the continent’s elite teams.

A Culture of Respect and Discipline

This is not the first time South Africa has been recognised for its ethical approach to football. Under the leadership of Desiree Ellis — a former captain and three-time CAF African Women’s Coach of the Year — Banyana Banyana have cultivated a culture rooted in teamwork, discipline, and mutual respect.

The Fair Play Award at WAFCON 2024 serves as a fitting tribute to a team that consistently values honour over hostility, and who continue to set a standard both on and off the field.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Nigeria’s Super Falcons delivered one of the most dramatic comebacks in Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) history on Saturday night, overturning a 2-0 halftime deficit to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 and secure their 10th continental title at the Stade Olympique in Rabat.

In a performance reminiscent of the B team of Super Eagles’ famous 4-3 comeback win over Morocco at the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN), the Falcons displayed grit, resilience, and championship pedigree to silence a partisan Moroccan crowd and reaffirm their status as the undisputed queens of African football.

The victory not only earned Nigeria the newly unveiled WAFCON trophy but also marked their milestone 10th title — symbolically represented by the Roman numeral ‘X’ — further cementing their dominance in African women’s football.

The final, billed as a clash of the continent’s past and future, saw the Atlas Lionesses take a commanding lead in the first half.

 Morocco’s captain, Ghizlane Chebbak, opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a superb long-range effort that beat Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

Twelve minutes later, Sanaâ Mssoudy doubled the advantage, slotting home after a precise through-ball from Ibtissam Jraidi.

Stunned and two goals down, the Super Falcons returned from the break with renewed urgency. Coach Justin Madugu’s halftime rally proved pivotal, as Nigeria came out fighting in the second half.

The comeback began in the 61st minute when a VAR review awarded Nigeria a penalty following a handball by Nouhaila Benzina. Esther Okoronkwo stepped up and coolly converted to halve the deficit.

Buoyed by the goal, Nigeria ramped up the pressure. In the 71st minute, Okoronkwo turned provider, threading a pass through to Folashade Ijamilusi, who struck a powerful left-footed shot into the bottom corner to level the scores.

With the match seemingly heading for extra time, the Falcons struck the decisive blow in the 88th minute. From a well-rehearsed set piece, Okoronkwo delivered a precise assist for Jenifer Echegini, who calmly fired home the winner to complete the stunning turnaround.

Morocco pressed hard for an equaliser in the dying minutes, but Nigeria’s defence held firm to secure a famous victory.

It was a heartbreaking end for Morocco, managed by former Spain coach Jorge Vilda, as they fell just short of claiming their maiden WAFCON crown.

Still, the Atlas Lionesses earned plaudits for their impressive run and will take pride in their growing reputation on the continental stage.

But the night ultimately belonged to the Super Falcons. Their triumph was a powerful reminder of their enduring excellence, resilience under pressure, and unshakeable status as the gold standard in African women’s football.

With 10 titles from 13 editions, Nigeria’s reign continues — and they did it in the most

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

This Saturday at 9pm (local time), the Olympic Stadium in Rabat will vibrate to the rhythm of a historic match: the 13^th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final pits Morocco against Nigeria.

Two giants of African Women’s Football are preparing to faceoff in a thrilling atmosphere, in front of a Moroccan crowd seeking an unprecedented home title.

This 2024 edition was marked by the spectacular rise of the Atlas Lionesses, under the leadership of Jorge Vilda, while the Super Falcons, led by Justin Madugu, are aiming for a 10^th continental title.

This matchup between a conquering Morocco and an experienced Nigeria promises to be a high-flying display of fine talent, combining determination, pride and passion.

A legendary setting for a tense final

The 21,000-seater Olympic Stadium in Rabat is the ideal setting for this grand evening. “Playing in front of our home crowd is an immense source of energy.

“This stadium is more than a pitch, it’s an arena where our dreams can come to life,” revealed Vilda, Morocco’s Spanish coach, aware of the importance of this match for his team and his country.

His opponent Madugu, the Nigerian coach, knows that they will have to overcome the local pressure: “We know the stakes and the intensity of the Moroccan crowd. But our players have experience in major finals and know how to handle this type of match.”

Morocco: A football revolution underway

With a second consecutive final, the Atlas Lionesses have confirmed that they are now a major force on the continent. Their team play, orchestrated by Vilda, impresses with its fluidity, tactical discipline, and fighting spirit.

 “Our strength lies in our cohesion. We have worked hard to get to this point. Each player knows what they have to do on the pitch,” emphasizes Vilda. The latter, who previously coached the Spanish women’s national team, has instilled tactical rigor and a winning spirit into a team that is discovering its identity.

On the offensive side, Morocco can count on brilliant talents like captain fantastic Ghizlane Chebbak and Ibtissam Jraidi, capable of making the difference at any moment.

For the Moroccan staff, this final is also a symbolic step in the development of Women’s Football in Morocco – a division that is booming thanks to the support of the federation and modern infrastructure.

Nigeria: A heavyweight on the continent, still formidable

Nigeria remains the undisputed benchmark in African Women’s Football. With nine titles under their belt, the Super Falcons command respect.

Their history is rich, made up of generations of talented players and a deeply rooted winning culture. Madugu focuses on the balance between youth and experience. “We have a highly motivated group of players, aware of the pressure of a final. They are ready to give their all,” he explains.

Nigeria have often shown that they can raise their level of play when the competition becomes intense. Their strong team spirit, athleticism, and lethal counterattack ability make them a formidable team.

 This final represents an opportunity for them to continue writing their legend and silence those who believe that Nigerian Women’s Football is losing momentum.

The Tactical Duel: Vilda vs Madugu

On the bench, Vilda and Madugu are engaged in a duel of strategy. The former, known for his methodical style, has instilled rigorous discipline in Morocco, emphasizing a composed style of play based on ball control and intelligent pressing.

The latter, at the helm of Nigeria, favours energetic and direct football, seeking to exploit the speed and physical power of his attackers. This tactical contrast makes the clash even more interesting.

“It will be an intense match, where every detail will count,” warns Vilda. “We’ll have to be ready to counter their strengths, while imposing our own pace.” Madugu, for his part, is relying on the confidence his players have gained throughout the competition: “We know Morocco is a strong team, but we have our own game plan.”

The Stakes and Symbolic Dimension

For Morocco, a victory would be a crowning achievement, a first in the history of national women’s football. This triumph would symbolize the emergence of a new African power, capable of competing with the continent’s top teams. “It’s not just a match. It’s a message for the entire country. Women’s football is making great strides, and this final is an opportunity to show the world that we belong,” summarizes Vilda.

For Nigeria, it’s a matter of heritage and pride. Winning a 10^th title would reinforce their status as a force to be reckoned with and consolidate their dominance. But it is also about proving that they are still at the top despite the rise of other nations.

On Saturday in Rabat, it is much more than just two teams facing off. The history of African Women’s Football is being written, with a glorious past and a promising future. Nigeria, guardians of a victorious tradition, and Morocco, symbol of an ambitious renaissance, will offer an intense, technical, and passionate exhibition of quality football.

This final at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat promises an evening of celebration and strong emotions, where every pass, every tackle, and every shot could change the destiny of this exceptional encounter. 

-CAFonline

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H