Nigeria’s Super Falcons will face hosts Morocco in the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), setting up a highly anticipated rematch of their 2022 semi-final clash.
The Falcons reached the final after a dramatic 2-1 victory over defending champions South Africa. Rasheedat Ajibade opened the scoring for Nigeria with a penalty just before half-time. South Africa responded in the second half, with Linda Motlhalo equalising from the spot in the 60th minute.
With the match heading towards extra time, Michelle Alozie’s speculative long ball from midfield sailed past all players, including South Africa’s goalkeeper Andile Dlamini, to seal victory for Nigeria deep into stoppage time.
In the second semi-final, hosts Morocco came from behind to defeat Ghana. Stella Nyamekye gave the Black Queens an early lead in the 26th minute, but Sakina Ouzraoui Diki levelled in the 55th minute. The match ended 1-1 after extra time, and Morocco triumphed 4-2 on penalties.
The final, scheduled for Saturday at the Stade Olympique in Rabat, will be Morocco’s second consecutive WAFCON final. In 2022, they lost to South Africa. Meanwhile, Nigeria are chasing a record-extending 10th WAFCON title in a campaign dubbed “Mission X.”
If successful, the Super Falcons will further cement their dominance, having only missed out on the trophy three times in the competition’s history. Morocco, on the other hand, will aim to win their first WAFCON title and make amends for their defeat in the last final on home soil.
This year’s WAFCON was delayed from 2023 due to scheduling conflicts with the women’s football event at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Morocco will also host the next edition in 2026.