- Atlas Lionesses dream maiden title as Super Falcons seek to accomplish ‘Mission X’
The business end of the TotalEnergies WAFCON 2024 is finally here as hosts Morocco go for broke today against nine-time African champions, Nigeria, at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.
And all eyes will be on Namibian official Antsino Twanyanyukwa who has been appointed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as referee for this potentially-explosive encounter.
With the Moroccans reaching their second successive final, this encounter presents the fourth meeting between the two nations at the continental tournament.
Head-to-head, Nigeria, at the second-ever WAFCON, destroyed Morocco 8–0 on October 17, 1998. That wide margin signified a gulf between the established powerhouse and a fledgling hopeful. Nkiru Okosieme, Patience Avre and Rita Nwadike weighed in with a brace each, while Mercy Akide and Florence Omagbemi scored one each.
Two years later, in 2000 at the third edition hosted by South Africa, the Super Falcons were again dominant, flogging the Moroccans 6–0 with a brace each by the fabulous Mercy Akide and Kikelomo Ajayi, and one each by Maureen Madu and Nwadike.
But certainly those were the days when both nations clearly operated at different levels, Nigeria soaring with confidence, and Morocco struggling to find their footing.
The table turned in their last meeting as the Atlas Lionesses emerged victorious with a 5-4 victory after a tense penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in the semi-final of the WAFCON 2022 in Rabat.
From Rookies To Serious Title Contenders
When the North African nation 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. In the process, they amassed a win and a draw in two editions, in 1998 and 2000 while conceding 22 goals and scoring five.
Interestingly, their third appearance was at home in front of their fans and beyond all expectations, they got to the final but lost 1-2 to a very well-oiled South African side.
Today, they are back, bigger, stronger, 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.
They are all hoping to witness what could be historic, a first WAFCON title and believably their dreams are valid.
An AFCON title in 1976 for their men’s national team, the Atlas Lions, is the best Morocco has amassed in the continent. Also, a first ever semi-final 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 coming 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 hat trick, 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 before facing Ghana in the semifinals.
On the day, the Black Queens tested their resolve, 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.
For Nigeria, It’s ‘Mission X’
For some months now, the social media has been buzzing with talk of a Mission X for the Super Falcons of Nigeria.
As all stakeholders locked in on this undertaking, the players have, every time they stepped onto the pitch, shown they are the team to beat.
The Super Falcons emerged as 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.
By booking their place in the quarter-finals, it marked the 13th straight time that Nigeria made it out of the group stages at the WAFCON since the first edition of the continent’s biggest carnival held 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 and hunger for more success is what sets Nigeria apart,year in, year out.
The 25-year-old, who features for Atletico Madrid in Spain, has earned three Woman of the Match Awards in five games, the only player to achieve this at the current edition.
Ajibade, who won her first WAFCON gold medal in 2018 at the age of 18, will be key to her team’s search for a 10th continental title to further extend their dominance in Africa.
However, Nigeria’s Head Coach Justin Madugu will also have to rely on the experience of the old guard, including the reigning African Goalkeeper of the Year Chiamaka Nnadozie who has only conceded once this edition, a penalty from South Africa’s Linda Motlhalo and the hunger of WAFCON debutants who have impressed so far like 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.
But against the Atlas Lionesses today, the Super Falcons are not only looking for history-making 10th title but will also be greatly motivated to protect their legendary status.
