Nigeria’s Super Falcons will launch an all-out assault against host Morocco from the very start, aiming to give no quarter and leave no room for mistakes in this weekend’s 13th Women’s AFCON Championship Match at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.
The presence of the host nation, Morocco, is certain to fill the stands at the stunning venue in the country’s administrative capital. However, the Super Falcons are determined not to be intimidated or overshadowed as they strive to secure their record-extending tenth continental title.
In addition to the title and fame, the winners will take home a prize of One Million US Dollars ($1,000,000). Both teams have already secured a prize of Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars ($500,000) each for reaching the final and will strive to elevate this sum to $1,000,000 when they face off today at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.
Both teams, with a mix of experienced champions and eager young talent, are unbeaten so far in the competition and the West Africans have only conceded one goal in five matches on their journey to the final in Rabat.
Runners-up in the same stadium in 2022, Morocco are looking for redemption. Should the Atlas Lionesses lift the trophy for the first time it would offer some return on the vast investment the kingdom has poured into the women’s game in recent years.
Confidence, however, is high in the Super Falcons camp, with their campaign branded as ‘Mission X’.
“Mission X – that’s what this entire tournament was about,” defender Michelle Alozie told BBC Sport Africa.
“It’s going all the way to the final and winning it. We’re growing as a team and I think that shows every game.”
As is often the case in finals, the outcome may well be influenced from the sidelines.
Morocco’s Spanish coach, Jorge Vidal, led her home country Spain to the Women’s World Cup title in Australia two years ago—a remarkable achievement that is hard to surpass on any coach’s résumé. He has guided the Atlas Lionesses with authority, instilling a sense of speed and purpose in their play, and they appear even stronger than the side that triumphed over a nine-player Super Falcons team in a penalty shootout during the semi-finals in Casablanca three years ago.
However, global attention is also focused on Coach Justine Madugu, previously seen primarily as an assistant at major competitions, who is now steering Nigeria through Africa’s premier women’s tournament.
Madugu has effectively implemented a tactical philosophy centred on taking it one game at a time, leveraging his team’s strengths in each match. Despite initial scepticism regarding his capabilities before the tournament commenced, four of his five adversaries—excluding the Lady Fennecs of Algeria, who faced the Super Falcons when Nigeria had already secured passage to the knockout stages—have departed the field visibly shaken.
It is anticipated that he will utilise his team’s strengths in this final encounter, potentially leading to unexpected disruptions for the opposition’s plans.
Nigeria’s team captain, Rasheedat Ajibade, is a strong contender for the Player of the Tournament award, while forward Chinwendu Ihezuo is likewise in the running for the Top Scorer accolade, boasting three goals—just one behind Morocco’s captain, Ghizlane Chebbak.
Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the full payment of bonuses and allowances for the Super Falcons ahead of today’s final.
The chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, disclosed this, stating that all entitlements have been disbursed for immediate payment to the players and their officials. Dikko remarked that this gesture demonstrates the renewed commitment to Nigerian athletes under the Tinubu administration.
“This is the kind of sports administration we are building—one rooted in dignity, trust, and shared prosperity,” Dikko told reporters. “Future generations will appreciate President Tinubu’s reforms in the sports sector.”
Morocco are seeking to win their first-ever WAFCON title after losing to the Banyana Banyana of South Africa three years ago. While Falcons are aiming for a record-extending tenth title.
