By Emeka Blast 
WAFCON 2024: Super Falcons Face Off Against Morocco in Tonight’s Final
Nigeria’s Super Falcons are set to clash with hosts Morocco in the highly anticipated final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tonight, Saturday, July 26, at 21:00 Nigerian time (20:00 GMT) at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat. The nine-time champions, branded with the rallying cry “Mission X” for their pursuit of a record-extending 10th title, aim to reclaim continental glory after a dramatic 2-1 semi-final victory over South Africa, sealed by Michelle Alozie’s stoppage-time stunner.
The Super Falcons, led by captain Rasheedat Ajibade and bolstered by a rock-solid defense featuring Ashleigh Plumptre and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, have been the tournament’s standout team, conceding just one goal in five matches while showcasing attacking flair with Esther Okoronkwo’s four assists and Chinwendu Ihezuo’s three goals. Their 5-0 quarter-final thrashing of Zambia underscored their championship credentials, with coach Justin Madugu emphasizing their readiness: “The girls are prepared to fight for Nigeria’s pride.”
Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses, coached by Spain’s World Cup-winning Jorge Vilda, are chasing their first WAFCON title after reaching the 2022 final on home soil, where they lost to South Africa. Despite an inconsistent campaign, with shaky performances against Zambia and a penalty shootout win over Ghana in the semi-finals, Morocco boasts a potent attack led by Ibtissam Jraidi and a passionate home crowd expected to fill the 21,000-capacity stadium. However, their defense, anchored by goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi, has shown vulnerabilities, conceding four goals in the tournament.
The final promises a fierce battle, with Nigeria holding a historical edge, having won 15 of 23 prior meetings with South Africa, though Morocco’s recent rise challenges their dominance. Social media is abuzz with excitement, with @NGSuper_Falcons rallying fans for a watch party at Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, joined by Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa, and @AdemolaVictorTv hyping the 21:00 kickoff. President Bola Tinubu and Peter Obi have sent messages of support, with Tinubu tweeting, “We’re rooting for you,” amplifying national pride.
The match, broadcast live on SuperSport, CAF TV, and BBC iPlayer (UK), offers a $1 million prize for the winners, doubled from the last edition, reflecting CAF’s 45% prize money boost to $3.475 million. A victory for Nigeria would cement their legacy, while a Moroccan triumph could signal a shift in African women’s football power dynamics.
