The Super Falcons of Nigeria will face the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco tonight in the final of the 13th edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Nigeria will aim to win its tenth WAFCON title while host nation, Morocco targets history by winning its first ever trophy in the competition.
Ahead of the final, the Guardian takes a look at how the countries made it to this stage.
SUPER FALCONS
Nigeria 3-0 Tunisia
Nigeria opened its campaign with a 3-0 win against Tunisia. The Super Falcons showed their intent from the outset, with Asisat Oshoala opening the scoring in the fourth minute with a powerful header.
Despite spirited defending from the North Africans, Nigeria doubled their lead just before the break courtesy of Omorinsola Babajide.
The nine-time African champions made it 3-0 in the 84th minute when Chinwendu Ihezuo coolly slotted home from close range after good work by Esther Okoronkwo.
Nigeria 1-0 Botswana
The highest ranked team needed a late winner to squeeze past the lowest-ranked side, Botswana. In a tightly contested encounter at the Stade Larbi Zaouli, Chinwendu Ihezuo’s composed 89th-minute finish finally broke the resistance of Botswana, who had frustrated the nine-time champions for much of the game.
Nigeria 0-0 Algeria
A 0-0 draw in their final group game with Algeria secured the top spot for the Super Falcons in Group B.
Nigeria 5-0 Zambia
The Super Falcons hammered Zambia 5-0 in the quarterfinals with goals from Osinachi Ohale, Esther Okoronkwo, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Oluwatosin Demehin and Folashade Ijamilusi who rounded off the scoring in the first minute of stoppage time.
Nigeria 2-1 South Africa
The Nigerian ladies who are still unbeaten in the tournament overcame holders, Banyana Banyana of South Africa 2-1 in the last four.
Nigeria had led through Rasheedat Ajibade’s penalty on the stroke of half-time but South Africa fought back in the second half and levelled on the hour mark through a composed Linda Motlhalo spot-kick.
The Super Falcons, however, did it the hard way, with their semi-final victory coming courtesy of a late minute goal by Michelle Alozie, precisely in the fourth minute of second-half added time (94).
ATLAS LIONESSES
Morocco 2-2 Zambia
Morocco also remain unbeaten but opened the tournament with a 2-2 draw against Zambia.
Morocco 4-2 DR Congo
A 4-2 win followed in their second group game against the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Morocco 1-0 Senegal
A 1-0 win against Senegal was enough for the Moroccan ladies to seal top spot in Group A.
Morocco 3-1 Mali
Morocco overcame Mali 3-1 in the quarter-final of the competition.
Morocco 1-1 Ghana (4-2 on penalties)
Ghana awaited in the semifinal, a game which saw Morocco requiring a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw after extra time.
