WAFCON
No Retreat, No surrender, says Coach Madugu as Super Falcons Set Sights on 10th WAFCON Title
Nigeria’s Super Falcons have their eyes firmly on the prize. They are preparing to face host nation Morocco in Saturday’s final of the 13th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). Assistant coach Justine Madugu declares that the nine-time champions are determined to reclaim their continental crown.
On Wednesday, as the Falcons departed Casablanca for Rabat, Madugu spoke. Rabat is the venue of the highly anticipated showdown. Madugu stressed that there will be no room for complacency. This follows their hard-earned semi-final victory over reigning champions South Africa.
“We thank God for making it to the final,” Madugu said. “I want to assure you that we are not going to relent or take our eyes off the ball. Our focus is on lifting the trophy in Rabat on Saturday.”
The Falcons secured a victory over a resilient Banyana Banyana side. They won 2-1 on Tuesday night. The game was decided by a stunning last-gasp cross-cum-shot from defender Michelle Alozie.
The result marked another tactical triumph for the Nigerian technical crew. They have tailored their approach to suit each opponent throughout the tournament.
“We knew South Africa, as Cup holders, would be difficult, but we were ready for them. I am glad that our tactics paid off. Before the tournament, I mentioned we will always assess the opposition first. Then we determine what tactics would suit us better and serve our purpose,” Madugu explained.
Nigeria will face a rapidly rising Moroccan side in the final. The match will take place at Rabat’s 60,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. It is scheduled for 9 pm local time on Saturday. The match mirrors the men’s AFCON final earlier this year, where the Super Eagles faced host nation Côte d’Ivoire, again overcoming South Africa in the semi-finals.
Led by Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, whose leadership and class have been pivotal, the Falcons boast a well-balanced team.
The firepower of Chinwendu Ihezuo adds strength. Esther Okoronkwo and Jennifer Echegini bring flair. Folasade Ijamilusi’s pace is remarkable.
Defender Ashleigh Plumptre has an attacking instinct. These attributes complement the safe hands of goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who has been named Africa’s best shot-stopper twice.
The Falcons have netted 11 goals in the tournament. They conceded just once. This was a penalty by South Africa’s Linda Motlhalo in the semi-final.
Nigeria’s dominance in women’s football stretches back to the inaugural edition in 1998, when they thrashed Morocco 8-0 In Kaduna.
Two years later, they hammered the North Africans 6-0 in South Africa. However, the tables turned three years ago. Morocco hosted the match and eliminated Nigeria on penalties in the semi-finals after a 1-1 draw.
Since then, the Lionesses have transformed into a formidable force. They have reached consecutive WAFCON finals. They have also become regulars on the world stage.
Saturday’s final is set to be a clash of legacy versus ambition. It features the most decorated team in African women’s football. They will face a host side determined to lift the trophy for the first time.
With a full house expected in Rabat, the stage is set for a spectacular finale. It underlines the growth of women’s football across the continent.
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Three years ago, Rasheedat Ajibade walked off the pitch at Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca, dejected and in tears.
A red card for a professional foul in the semi-final against Morocco not only ended her night prematurely but also ruled her out of the third-place match, which Nigeria eventually lost 1-0 to Zambia.
Fellow midfielder Halimatu Ayinde also saw red that night, reducing the Super Falcons to nine players for much of the second half and extra time.
Now, in July 2025, the script is different. Ajibade is not only back in Morocco but returns as captain of the Super Falcons, leading the team into Saturday’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final against the same Atlas Lionesses in Rabat.
This time, she stands tall, confident, composed, and determined to rewrite the narrative.
From the moment Nigeria began their campaign with a 3-0 win over Tunisia, where Esther Okoronkwo claimed Woman of the Match honours, Ajibade has taken centre stage. She has since won the award in three successive matches—against Botswana, Zambia, and South Africa—and is now a frontrunner for the Player of the Tournament accolade.
At a pre-tournament CAF webinar, Ajibade offered a glimpse of the team’s mindset:
“For us, effort is everything. We’ll demonstrate what we’re capable of and continue to build on our existing strengths. We have an incredible group of talented players.
“We know it won’t be easy, but we’re committed to showing up as our best selves.”
That resilience has been evident throughout Nigeria’s campaign. Under Ajibade’s leadership, the Falcons have marched into the final with grit and purpose, fuelled by the collective mission to reclaim the WAFCON crown, what many in the camp now call Mission X, a nod to Nigeria’s pursuit of a record-extending 10th title.
Ajibade, calm yet fiercely driven, knows that past glory counts for little in the heat of a final. Still, history offers motivation.
“We know pedigree and past achievements mean little in a match of this nature, but records also serve to encourage and inspire people and groups to go all out when it matters most,” she said.
As the curtain rises on Saturday’s showdown at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Ajibade has a chance to turn the ghosts of 2022 into the glory of 2025. And this time, she’s not leaving Morocco empty-handed.
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With the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 final just hours away, host nation Morocco faces a major fitness concern over star striker Fatima Tagnaout ahead of their showdown with Nigeria.
Tagnaout was stretchered off during Morocco’s dramatic semi-final win over Ghana on Tuesday, leaving the pitch in tears after suffering an undisclosed injury.
While she has since undergone medical tests, no official update has been provided, casting doubt over her availability for Saturday’s final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
The Atlas Lionesses’ medical team is now in a race against time to get the influential playmaker ready.
Her absence would pose a tactical challenge for head coach Jorge Vilda, who relies on Tagnaout’s creativity and pace to drive Morocco’s attack.
The 28-year-old has been one of the tournament’s standout performers, playing a key role in Morocco’s historic run to the final. Her potential absence casts a shadow over the team’s bid for a maiden WAFCON title on home soil.
Nine-time champions Nigeria await in what promises to be a fiercely contested final. For Morocco, much will depend on whether their midfield engine recovers in time to take part in the biggest game of her international career.
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WAFCON
Referee named for Morocco-Nigeria match as Namibia’s Twanyanyukwa Makes History as First to officiate WAFCON Final
Namibian referee Antsino Twanyanyukwa will make history on Saturday as the first from her country to officiate a CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final when Nigeria face hosts Morocco in the 2024 edition at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.
Recognised for her composure, consistency, and control throughout the tournament, Antsino’s appointment is a milestone moment for Namibian and African refereeing.
“I didn’t expect this at all… But with God, all things are possible,” Cafonline quotes her as saying.
She will lead an all-female officiating crew, including Assistant Referees Alice Umutesi (Rwanda) and Tabara Mbodji (Senegal).
In the VAR booth, trailblazing Rwandan referee Salima Mukansanga, who officiated at AFCON 2022 and the FIFA Women’s World Cup, will take charge, supported by Letticia Viana (Eswatini) and Diana Chikotesha (Zambia).
CAF’s Head of Refereeing, Desire Noumandiez Doue, praised the officials for earning their places on merit, citing their tactical awareness, match control, and professionalism. He described Antsino as “a potential FIFA Women’s World Cup candidate.”
The all-women officiating team underscores CAF’s growing investment in women’s football and commitment to advancing female talent at all levels of the game.
The WAFCON 2024 final between nine-time champions Nigeria and Morocco kicks off on Saturday, July 26, in Rabat.
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