All eyes will be on Rabat tonight as Morocco seeks its first-ever continental title, while Nigeria is poised to win a record-extending 10th WAFCON title in what has been described as the battle between the first and the tenth.
The stage is now set for Saturday’s 2024 Women’s African Cup of Nations final clash between nine-time winner Nigeria and Morocco, as both nations seek to make history. The latter seeks its first major continental trophy, while the former eyes a record 10th title.
That both teams have only conceded one goal in the tournament so far makes it even more difficult to predict the likely winners. Nigeria laboured to a 2-1 win over defending champions South Africa to book their place in Saturday’s final, while Morocco dug deep to overcome hard-fighting Black Queens of Ghana 4-2 on penalties after a nail-biting semi-final in Rabat ended 1-1 after extra-time.
Tonight’s final is regarded as a grudge match after the Super Falcons received two controversial red cards against host Morocco in the semi-finals of the 2022 tournament. The Atlas Lioness went on to beat Nigeria on penalties to qualify for their first-ever WAFCON final, which they eventually lost to South Africa, while Nigeria left the competition empty-handed.
There is a score to settle when both teams file out tonight at the 21,000-capacity Olympic Stadium in Rabat. The Nigerian girls have continued to tell everyone who cares to listen that Mission X is achievable, while the host believes the time has come to reap their huge investments in women’s football.
Head-To-Head: Vilda vs Madugu
While Nigeria had to depend on a homegrown gaffer, Justine Madugu, to bark out orders to its players from the touchline, Morocco invested heavily in its dugout, luring Spain World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vidal to tinker with its women’s national team. It must be noted that there is hardly a bigger line that can be included in a coach’s resume than a World Cup triumph, but Madugu has proved doubters wrong, and he is more than determined to unleash his tactical masterstroke in tonight’s finals.
Although Morocco may have the best manager in women’s football in its dugout, Nigeria will be buoyed by its embarrassment of talented players who know how to rise to the occassion, given the Super Falcons’ dominance in African women’s football for decades, lifting the trophy nine times out of 12.
Tactical Balance
Atlas Lioness’ quest to ensure that the new WAFCON trophy nest in the Moroccan FA football cabinet will face a heavy test from the Nigerian counterparts, given the fact that the Super Falcons have never lost in their last nine finals.
In contrast, Morocco has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the game and will be banking on the home crowd to bring home the bacon.
The Atlas Lioness have a mountain to climb with their frail defensive wall coming up against Nigerian attackers that are armed to the teeth.
Nigeria have scored 11 goals so far, the same as Morocco, but what sets the Super Falcons apart is the sheer variety of their threats, with eight different players scoring goals for Nigeria, more than any other team in the tournament. This intimidating record highlights Super Falcons’ attacking depth and tactical flexibility.
Nigeria paraded the best defence in the competition, with just one goal conceded (a penalty against South Africa) in five games. The back four of Michelle Alozie, Osinachi Ohale, Oluwatosin Demehin and Ashleigh Plumptre have formed one of the tournament’s most consistent units. As the old football adage says, ‘attack wins games, defence wins titles’, and for Nigeria, the ability of their defensive wall to play as a unit will be a determining factor if they are to make Mission X possible in Saturday’s finals.
Morocco has let in six goals from five matches, boasting of one clean sheet; a stat that many Moroccan fans regarded as worrisome going into the final match against Nigeria’s pacy and dreaded attacking trio of Ihezuo, Ajibade, and Okoronkwo
Head-To-Head: Esther Okoronkwo and Ghizlane Chebbak
The two players who could determine where the pendulum of victory swings on Saturday are Nigeria’s Esther Okoronkwo and Morocco’s 2022 Player of the Tournament, Ghizlane Chebbak. Okoronkwo has become Nigeria’s biggest discovery in the tournament so far, with her near-perfect and incisive ball delivery. She could be the player to unlock Morocco’s midfield with skipper Ajibade providing the right support.
Coach Vilda will be banking on the duo of Ghizlane Chebbak and Yasmin Mrabet to dictate play from the midfield after the duo jointly contributed seven of Morocco’s 11 goals in the tournament. Their forward-thinking style often left the midfield exposed, and it remains to be seen how coach Vilda intends to stop the Super Falcons’ attacking line, which is armed with pace, depth, and attacking threats across the pitch.
Head-to-head: Nigeria vs Morocco
Saturday’s final will be the fourth meeting between Morocco and Nigeria at the WAFCON. Their first two encounters occurred in 1998 and 2000, with Nigeria decisively defeating the North Africans 8-0 and 6-0, respectively.
Who Said What
“Mission X – that’s what this entire tournament was about. It’s going all the way to the final and winning it. We’re growing as a team, and I think that shows every game.”
– Nigeria defender, Michelle Alozie
“Our team has a strong mindset. We’re going to fight with our hearts and bodies to win this final. The players have delivered entertaining, high-quality football and know exactly what they need to do.”
– Morocco women’s national team head coach Jorge Vilda
Verdict
Nigeria’s ability to remain calm and avoid a repeat of the 2022 semi-finals when the Super Falcons finished the clash with nine players will be a determining factor in Saturday’s final. Odds favour Nigeria to achieve its Mission X in regulation time and avoid the heartache of a penalty shootout.
