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    HomeSportsWAFCON: Nigeria chasing 10th title, Morocco dreaming of one

    WAFCON: Nigeria chasing 10th title, Morocco dreaming of one

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    Nigeria is poised to clinch her 10th title come Saturday at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, where she’ll face hosts Morocco in the grand finale of the WAFCON 2024 tournament, dubbed the royal battle of Rabat at 9 p.m.

    Fans still remember the dramatic clash between both nations three years ago, when Rasheedat Ajibade was shown a red card for a foul on a Moroccan player, followed by Halimat Ayinde receiving hers in the same semi-final match. That game forced Nigeria to play 9 against 11, which heavily impacted their performance in the third-place match against Zambia. Missing two key players, Nigeria lost 1-0 due to a 29th-minute own goal by goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

    On July 18, 2022, in that infamous semi-final, Mssoudy equalized for Morocco in the 66th minute after Mrabet had scored an own goal for Nigeria in the 62nd. Overwhelmed by the hostile crowd and mounting pressure, the Nigerian players fell back into desperate defending. Referee Maria Rivet from Mauritius officiated the match in front of a packed crowd of 45,562 at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Morocco eventually triumphed 5-4 on penalties. Their scorers were Mrabet, Chebbak, Redoueni, El Chad, and Ayane. Nigeria’s successful kicks came from Chikwelu, Otu, Plumptre (aka “Oyinbo”), and Monday. Unfortunately, Onumonu missed her kick, gifting Morocco the ticket to the final.

    Despite the chaos, Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade, Morocco’s Chizlane Chebbak, and South Africa’s Hildah Magaia all ended the tournament as top scorers with three goals each. Chizlane—who also bagged Best Player of the Group Stage this year—was named Best Player of the 2022 tournament. She remains a venomous striker, a rattlesnake in boots, and Nigeria’s defense must not sleep on her threat.

    But Nigeria knows how to cage wild attackers and reduce them to mere spectators. Ask Zambia’s Barbra Banda—whose dreams were crushed when Nigeria pummelled her side 5-0. That remains the biggest win of the tournament so far.

    In preparation, Morocco’s male coach—referred to as “Bald Man”—has reportedly been sought out for tactical advice on how to stop three Nigerian danger-women: Ajibade, Okoronkwo, and Chizuo (who already has three goals to her name). Ajibade is a blazing force—skilled, powerful, passionate, and unrelenting, spraying passes like water. She’s won the Woman of the Match award in three of her five appearances—against Botswana, Zambia, and South Africa.

    Morocco can’t match the physicality and robustness of the West African side. A wrong collision with any Nigerian player, and it’s straight to the hospital. That’s how it’s been since the days of late Chairman Christian Chukwu, who reportedly didn’t even wear shin guards—kick him at your peril.

    Case in point: South African striker Gabriela Salgado tried her luck in Tuesday’s semi-final scuffle and was stretchered off straight to Mohammed VI Hospital in Casablanca. Captain Ajibade, fondly called “Mummy G.O.,” later visited her with teammates, offering prayers and gifting a signed jersey. As of writing, news from Casablanca confirms Salgado’s surgery was successful.

    Morocco’s road to the final began in Group A with a 2-2 draw against Zambia. They then defeated Botswana 4-2, edged Senegal 1-0, mauled Mali 3-1 in the quarters, and narrowly knocked out Ghana 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. Ghana had scored first and controlled most of the match.

    Morocco may have scored the same 11 goals as Nigeria so far, but they’ve conceded six—a shaky defense unlikely to contain the Nigerian wolves who strike from every angle. Only once have Morocco kept a clean sheet (vs. Senegal). That’s telling.

    Nigeria, on the other hand, made a statement early by silencing Tunisia 3-0, edging a highly defensive Botswana 1-0, and settling for a goalless draw against stubborn Algeria. In the quarters, they annihilated Zambia 5-0, and in the semis, they humbled loud-talking South Africa 2-1—a win Coach Desiree Ellis dismissed as “mere luck.”

    But luck doesn’t deliver 11 goals, concede just one (vs. South Africa), and produce four clean sheets. Nigeria’s defense is as firm as Olumo Rock. Their thirst for goals—from long-range screamers to deft headers—should terrify the Moroccans, who seem to rely on penalties and theatrics. Expect more whistle-blowing from the stands, dramatic falls, and pressure on the ref. Morocco has been awarded penalties in almost every match this tournament.

    Nigeria stands unmatched in WAFCON history—nine-time champions (1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018). They’ve reached the semi-finals in all 12 previous appearances, finishing third only in 2001, and fourth in 2012 and 2022.

    Morocco, ranked far below Nigeria at 60th in the world, has only made it to the World Cup once (2023, ousted in R16) and the WAFCON final three times. Their best was the silver medal in 2022. They didn’t survive the group stage in 1998 and 2000.

    Award season is near, and Nigeria looks set to shine. Ajibade is a frontrunner for Player of the Tournament with three Woman of the Match titles. Chizuo is in the Golden Boot race. And Chiamaka Nnadozie is well-placed to retain the Golden Gloves for Best Goalkeeper.

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