WAFCON
Morocco vs Nigeria: Dreaming of One, Chasing 10 at WAFCON
The WAFCON 2024 has reached the business end with hosts Morocco booking their spot in a second consecutive final where they will face nine-time record African champions Nigeria on Saturday, July 26 at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.
This will be the fourth meeting between the two teams at the WAFCON with the Atlas Lionesses emerging victorious in their last meeting: a 5-4 win after a tense penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in the semifinals of the WAFCON 2022 in Rabat.
Rookies to serious title contenders
When Morocco embarked on an intentional Women’s Football Strategy five years ago, winning major trophies was part of the plan. And ahead of this weekend’s final, it is not a surprise to any Moroccan that the team is standing up tall against the best teams in Africa.
Prior to the 2022 edition, Morocco had made two appearances at the continent’s biggest showpiece amassing a win and a draw in two editions – in 1998 and 2000 while conceding 22 goals and scoring five. In their third appearance – this time at home in front of their fans, they went to the final but fell to a very well-oiled South African side 1-2.
They are back now – bigger, stronger and ready to fight again and give something to their fans who have filled the Olympic Stadium to the brim every match day in Rabat.
The leadership of captain Ghizlane Chebbak, the individual brilliance and growth of Fatima Tagnaout, Sanaa Mssoudy, Ibtissam Jraidi and Sakina Ouzraoui within the team collective has been a revelation to the Moroccan fans who are now scrambling to buy tickets for the final to witness what could be history – a first WAFCON title. They believe their dreams are valid.
An AFCON title in 1976 for the Atlas Lions is the best Morocco has amassed coupled with a first ever semifinal finish for an African team at a FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022 is what the current generation can relate to as success for their football teams on the global scene.
The weight of these dreams is what the Atlas Lionesses believe they can deliver when they come up against a resilient and dominant Nigerian outfit.
Their journey in 2025 has been yet another fairytale – coming from behind twice to hold a strong Zambian side to a 2-2 draw in their opener to seeing off DR Congo 4-2 thanks to a Chebbak hattrick before edging Senegal 1-0 in a tightly contested game to finish top of Group A.
The Atlas Lionesses looked comfortable as they cruised to a convincing 3-1 win against Mali to set up a date with Ghana in the semifinals. The Black Queens tested their resolve on the day, taking the game to extra time and penalties. It took goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi’s magic to deny teenage sensation Comfort Yeboah and an Evelyn Badu miss earlier for the Atlas Lionesses to progress to the coveted final.
In their journey to the final, Morocco have scored an impressive 11 goals while conceding in every match they have played – a total of six goals. Er-Rmichi is yet to keep a clean sheet.
Whatever happens, Morocco have shown once again that they belong to the big stage after years of building a team that is hungry to write history.
Mission X in sight
Social media has been abuzz with talk of a Mission X for the Super Falcons of Nigeria for months now. All stakeholders are locked in on this undertaking. For the players, they have shown that they are the team to beat every time that they have stepped onto the field.
Group B leaders after three games with seven points from a 3-0 win over Tunisia, a 1-0 victory over Botswana and a goalless draw with Algeria.
The Super Falcons booked their place in the quarterfinals marking a 13th straight time that they have made it out of the group stages at the WAFCON since the first edition of the continent’s biggest showpiece in 1998
A convincing 5-0 victory over Zambia in the last eight in what was anticipated to be a tightly contested encounter sent a clear message to any doubters that the Super Falcons are not only the most decorated team on the African continent – female or male but they are also serious title contenders.
At the heart of this campaign, captain Rasheedat Ajibade has proven that pedigree is what sets Nigeria apart. The team also thrives on their hunger for more success year in, year out.
The 25-year-old plays for Atletico Madrid in Spain. She has earned three Woman of the Match Awards in five games. She is the only player to achieve this at the current edition.
Ajibade won her first WAFCON in 2018 at the age of 18. She will be key to her team’s search for a 10th continental title. This will further extend their dominance in Africa.
Nigeria head coach Justin Madugu, however, will also have to rely on the experience of the old guard. This includes the reigning African Goalkeeper of the Year, Chiamaka Nnadozie, who has only conceded once this edition.
The only goal against her was a penalty from South Africa’s Linda Motlhalo. He will also count on the hunger of WAFCON debutants who have impressed so far. One standout is ‘assist Queen’, Esther Okoronkwo, who has amassed four assists in five games.
The Super Falcons have never lost a WAFCON final – nine finals and nine WAFCON titles. To say that this has been impressive over the last 12 editions is an understatement.
However, against Morocco on Saturday, they will not only look for their 10th title but will also be motivated to protect their legacy.
-CAFonline
Nigeria’s Super Falcons produced a dominant second-half display to defeat Senegal’s Teranga Lionesses 3-0 in the second of their two international friendly matches at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Monday.
After being frustrated by a resilient Senegalese side in a goalless first half, the nine-time African champions found their cutting edge after the break to delight home fans with a convincing victory.
The Super Falcons began brightly and almost made an instant breakthrough when captain Rasheedat Ajibade delivered an early set-piece in the opening minute. However, the opportunity went begging as Senegal survived the early pressure.
Nigeria continued to dictate proceedings, with Joy Omewa causing problems for the visitors’ defence. Despite creating several promising chances, the hosts struggled to find the finishing touch. A gilt-edged opportunity was squandered in the 13th minute, while Omewa came agonisingly close two minutes later after rounding the goalkeeper, only to see her effort crash against the woodwork.
Gift Monday remained a constant menace throughout the first half, stretching the Senegalese backline and helping Nigeria maintain territorial dominance. Yet the breakthrough proved elusive as both sides headed into the interval deadlocked at 0-0.
The Falcons finally got the reward for their persistence three minutes into the second half. Defender Shukurat Oladipo delivered a pinpoint cross from the left, and Omewa rose highest to power a header beyond the goalkeeper and hand Nigeria a deserved lead in the 48th minute.
The goal transformed the contest as the Super Falcons grew in confidence and began to impose themselves completely. Seven minutes later, Omewa struck again, showing strength and determination to burst through the Senegalese defence before calmly finishing to double Nigeria’s advantage.
With the Teranga Lionesses struggling to contain the hosts’ attacking waves, the Falcons added a third goal in the 66th minute. Ajibade embarked on a dazzling run before providing a perfectly weighted pass for substitute Asisat Oshoala, who had replaced the two-goal Omewa, to finish clinically and put the result beyond doubt.
Nigeria continued to control possession and remained defensively solid for the remainder of the match, ensuring goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie enjoyed a relatively comfortable evening as the Falcons secured a clean sheet.
The victory capped an impressive performance by the Super Falcons, who combined attacking flair with defensive discipline to underline their credentials ahead of the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
For head coach Justin Madugu and his team, the emphatic win provides further encouragement as the defending champions intensify their preparations for the continental showpiece, where they aim to extend their dominance of women’s football in Africa.
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Nigeria’s Super Falcons are set to adopt a more attacking approach when they face Senegal’s Lionesses of Teranga in their second international friendly match on Monday at the Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne-Remo.
Head coach Justine Madugu revealed on Sunday that the nine-time African champions are determined to improve on their performance from Friday’s closely contested encounter, which ended in a 2-1 victory for Nigeria.
The Falcons took control of the first match through goals from veteran striker Asisat Oshoala, who converted a penalty kick, and midfielder Toni Payne. However, Senegal reduced the deficit with four minutes remaining, ensuring a tense finish to the game.
Speaking ahead of Monday’s rematch, Madugu said his team would be more deliberate in attack as they continue preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which kicks off next month in Morocco.
The two friendly matches form part of the build-up programme for both nations ahead of the continental championship, where Nigeria will be seeking an unprecedented 11th African title.
The Super Falcons and the Lionesses have met before in WAFCON qualifying competition. In 2016, Nigeria eliminated Senegal 3-1 on aggregate after drawing the first leg 1-1 and winning the return fixture 2-0.
At this year’s WAFCON, Nigeria have been drawn in Group C alongside Egypt, Zambia and tournament debutants Malawi. Senegal will compete in Group A, where they will face hosts Morocco, Algeria and Kenya.
The tournament, scheduled to run from July 25 to August 16 in Morocco, carries added significance as it will serve as Africa’s qualification pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Africa’s four highest-placed teams at the championship will secure automatic qualification for the global finals, while the fifth-placed nation will earn a place in an intercontinental playoff tournament for a final opportunity to reach the World Cup.
With qualification places and continental glory at stake, Monday’s encounter offers both Nigeria and Senegal another valuable opportunity to fine-tune their squads and tactics ahead of the highly anticipated tournament in Morocco.
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Nigeria’s Super Falcons began their preparations for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on a winning note on Friday, defeating Senegal’s Teranga Lionesses 2-1 in an international friendly at Ikenne-Remo.
The reigning African champions produced a composed and disciplined display, taking control of the contest early and maintaining their grip for much of the encounter before withstanding a late Senegalese fightback.
The breakthrough came in the 32nd minute when Nigeria were awarded a penalty after sustained pressure on the visitors’ defence. Veteran striker Asisat Oshoala calmly stepped up to convert from the spot, marking her return to the national team with a goal in her first appearance since the WAFCON 2024 final.
The Super Falcons continued to dominate possession and dictate the tempo, moving the ball with confidence and creating openings against the Senegalese backline. Their superiority was rewarded again in the 43rd minute when Toni Payne finished off a well-crafted attacking move to double Nigeria’s advantage.
Like Oshoala, Payne was making her first appearance for the Super Falcons since the last WAFCON final, and her goal underlined the experience and quality available to head coach Justine Madugu as he prepares his squad for the continental showpiece in Morocco.
Nigeria remained largely in control throughout the second half, limiting Senegal’s attacking opportunities while looking capable of extending their lead. However, the visitors found a lifeline in the 86th minute when they pulled a goal back to set up a tense finish.
The Teranga Lionesses pressed for an equaliser in the closing minutes, but the Super Falcons managed the game effectively to secure victory in what was the first-ever meeting between the two nations at senior women’s level.
The fixture forms part of both teams’ preparations for the forthcoming WAFCON, where Nigeria will be aiming to successfully defend their continental crown and extend their record as Africa’s most successful women’s football nation.
Both sides will renew their rivalry on June 8 in a second friendly match at the same venue in Ikenne-Remo as they continue their build-up to the tournament.
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