By Ikpommwosa Odigie
Nigeria’s Super Falcons are through to the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after edging out South Africa 2-1 in a dramatic semi-final showdown.
Rasheedat Ajibade opened the scoring just before half-time, calmly converting a penalty to give Nigeria the lead. South Africa responded in the 60th minute, also from the spot, as Linda Motlhalo levelled the score.
With the game heading for extra time, Michelle Alozie stepped up with a moment of magic. Her long-range delivery into the box in stoppage time evaded everyone including Nigeria’s forwards and South African goalkeeper Andile Dlamini and nestled in the net to seal victory in the 94th minute.
Attention then turned to the second semi-final, where hosts Morocco overcame Ghana. Stella Nyamekye had put the Black Queens ahead in the 26th minute, but Sakina Ouzraoui Diki equalised for Morocco in the 55th.
After 120 minutes of football ended 1-1, the Atlas Lionesses triumphed 4-2 on penalties, booking a final clash with Nigeria.
Saturday’s final will be a repeat of the 2022 semi-final, where Morocco defeated a nine-player Nigerian side 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. This time, Nigeria are seeking revenge and a record-extending 10th WAFCON title under the campaign slogan “Mission X”.
The Super Falcons have won the trophy nine times, missing out only three times in the competition’s history. A win in Rabat would reassert their dominance in African women’s football.
For Morocco, a win would be redemption after losing the 2022 final to South Africa on home soil. The country is also set to host the next edition of the WAFCON.
This year’s tournament was initially scheduled for 2023 but was postponed due to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
