Nigeria and Morocco will lock horns in the grand finale of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after securing dramatic semifinal victories on Tuesday night.
In a pulsating clash at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Nigeria edged defending champions South Africa 2-1 in a fiercely contested encounter that lived up to its billing.
Rasheedat Ajibade opened the scoring for the Super Falcons from the penalty spot just before halftime after a VAR check penalised a South African defender for a handball.
South Africa responded almost immediately after the restart, also from the spot, when a clumsy challenge gifted Linda Motlhalo the chance to convert and restore parity.
But just when it looked destined for extra time, Nigerian defender Michelle Alozie curled home a dramatic long-range winner deep into added time, sealing Nigeria’s place in yet another WAFCON final.
Meanwhile, hosts Morocco booked their second consecutive final appearance after edging Ghana 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes.
Ghana struck first in the opening half, only for Morocco to level after the break in front of a raucous home crowd. Both sides failed to find a winner in extra time, but the Atlas Lionesses held their nerve in the shootout, scoring all four of their penalties as Ghana missed two.
The final now promises a fascinating contest between Africa’s most successful women’s football team and an ambitious Moroccan side playing in front of their fans. Nigeria are gunning for a record-extending 10th WAFCON title and are unbeaten in all nine previous finals. Morocco, in contrast, are seeking their first-ever continental crown after falling at the final hurdle in 2022.
The championship match will take place on Saturday, July 26, at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, with history and pride on the line.