WAFCON 2024 | Final: Morocco vs Nigeria | Preview and Prediction

It is the final of an action-packed 2024 edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), as the 12-team tournament comes down to its last two contenders.

Morocco and Nigeria are set to tussle for the crown of African football in what promises to be a robust and raucous encounter.

Here’s our preview and prediction for the game.

Women’s AFCON 2024 | Final: Morocco vs Nigeria | 01:30 AM IST, 27th July

It is fitting that Morocco and Nigeria are the two sides that have reached the final. They have clearly been the best teams throughout the tournament, and remain the only unbeaten sides.

Hosts Morocco have been riding the crest of a wave, growing from strength to strength on their way to a second consecutive WAFCON final. They have struck a harmonious balance between attacking fluidity and defensive solidity, adapting their style depending on the opposition. From a free-flowing 3–1 win against Mali to a resolute penalty shootout victory over Ghana in the semi-finals, Morocco have shown their ability to rise to any occasion.

The semi-final featured a standout performance from midfielder Sakina Ouzraoui Diki, who was everywhere on the pitch. She dominated proceedings from the middle of the park and was deservedly named Player of the Match. Morocco will once again look to her for inspiration, hoping she can build on that display in the final.

Winning the WAFCON trophy would cap off quite the coming-of-age story for the Atlas Lionesses. They reached the final of the previous edition as well but ended up losing to South Africa. A win here would be a huge vindication for a nation that has been investing heavily in the women’s game over the last few years. Against a sold-out home crowd, the team would dearly want a victory and bring their journey full circle by winning the title that eluded them the last time around.

Standing in their way are Nigeria, who are pursuing their own piece of history, looking to win the WAFCON title for a tenth time. The Super Falcons have been the best defensive side in this tournament, having conceded just one goal in five games — which came in the semi-final against South Africa.

Nigeria know they have the defence to stifle the hosts, but it remains to be seen whether they can overcome the hoodoo against the Moroccans. After all, it was Morocco who defeated Nigeria in the WAFCON semis in 2022 — and how they would love to turn the tables.

Everything is on the line for both teams. Morocco are fighting to etch their name in the history books by winning their first WAFCON, while Nigeria aim to add to their already dominant legacy.

There’s barely anything to separate the two sides in the final, but if we have to pick a favourite, we go with Nigeria — just about, though, and only by the barest of margins.

Venue: Olympic Stadium, Rabat
Score Prediction: Morocco 1–1 Nigeria (Nigeria win on penalties)