Morocco and Nigeria Advance to Final of WAFCON 2024

Ghana took the lead during regulation, through Stella Nyamekye’s strike halfway through the first half. Sakina Ouzraoui pulled Morocco level shortly into the second half, setting up a tense atmosphere as the match went all the way through extra time. The Black Queens won their quarterfinal match against Algeria on penalties, but they couldn’t repeat the same feat against Morocco, and will now attempt to earn a third-place finish on Friday versus South Africa.

Morocco entered this year’s WAFCON as one of the strongest contenders, as the Atlas Lionesses have emerged as a growing force in African women’s football. They cruised past Mali in the quarterfinals, winning 3-1 and conceding only a late consolation goal.

Morocco boasts two of the highest goalscorers in the tournament so far, including last WAFCON’s Player of the Tournament Ghizlane Chebbak, who scored four goals in the group stage but is yet to find the back of the net in the knockout phase. Forward Ibitsam Jraïdi scored twice against Mali and was among the penalty scorers in the semifinal match. There will be no lack of firepower on Saturday, as the hosts will look to win their first WAFCON title against record holders Nigeria.

A late, chaotic goal was the definitive moment as Nigeria’s Super Falcons edged their way past South Africa to the final. Michelle Alozie’s long ball forward from close to the halfway line flew by two of her chasing teammates and crawled past Banyana Banyana’s onrushing goalkeeper, just over two minutes before the final whistle for regulation time was due to be blown.

Nigeria edged the defending champions out 2-1. Super Falcons’ captain Rasheedat Ajibade opened the scoring from the penalty spot at the end of the first half; however, Linda Motlhalo leveled things up on the hour mark. Alozie’s auspicious strike closed things, leaving South Africa to now compete in Friday's third-place match.

The Super Falcons will be playing for a tenth WAFCON title and a twelfth overall continental title on Saturday. The team has had a remarkable run to the final, with Motlhalo’s strike being the only goal it has conceded all tournament.

Over the weekend, they trounced the Zambia women’s team 5-0, a surprise result considering it was expected to be a tight affair. Instead, Nigeria impressively shut off Zambia’s usually prolific forward pair of Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji, on their way to a victory that symbolizes their dominance throughout the tournament.

Through the group stage and the knockout phase, Nigeria has demonstrated that they have the firepower and grit to win, either by overwhelming opponents or grinding out difficult wins, which are strong signs that they’ll be prepared to win it all on Sunday.

The winners of WAFCON 2024 will go home with an all-new trophy and a prize of $1 million. Second- and third-place teams will receive $500,000 and $300,000, respectively.