Host, Morocco, faces its biggest test at the ongoing TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations when it takes on the reigning African champions, Nigeria, tonight for a place in the coveted final.
The Atlas Lionesses of Morocco have won all their four games at the continental tournament so far but against the Super Falcons, they face a very experienced team that knows exactly how to reach the final.
Monday’s clash is a record 12th time Nigeria will be featuring in the semifinals of the WAFCON, having won nine times and fell short only in 2008 and 2012. The big question is whether Morocco can stop the Super Falcons who are aiming at a record 10th title.
Sonia Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene, 28-year old experienced shining light in Nigeria’s midfield said the Super Falcons would not be overawed by the fanatical support the hosts are sure to receive tonight.
“We have played against teams playing at home and we know how to manage games like this. We do not care about how many people are in the stadium. We shall come into this game with the sole purpose of winning and going to the final”.
Sonia Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene
Nigeria defeated Cameroon 1-0 in the 2016 final in front of over 42,000 fans inside the Ahmadu Ahidjo Stadium and according to Ngozi, that experience will come in handy. The Sweden-based midfield genius is hoping to play in her fifth WAFCON final, but Morocco stands in the way.
Reynald Pedros’ Moroccan side has grown from strength to strength in the tournament, defeating debutants Burkina Faso and Botswana as well as Uganda and Senegal.
However, taking on the record nine-time champions, Nigeria, poses an even bigger test for Morocco – miles away from facing Uganda that returned for the first time since 2000 and Senegal which last competed at the WAFCON in 2012.
“We are preparing the same way that we have been preparing for the other matches. We are doing our best. After the quarterfinal, we are well-rested and trying to remain focused on our next objective. We have qualified for the World Cup and now our next target is to make it to the final and win the WAFCON 2022.
“Nigeria is truly a strong team – the strongest in Africa. They always qualify for the World Cup. We have studied them and know their strength and I can say that in the semifinal, everything is possible. We need to do our best. We know that they are strong. They are the strongest for many years. We know this, however, we are going to do our best in this game”.
Reynald Pedros
Nigeria focuses on winning its 10th title
Nigeria has already tasted defeat in this tournament, losing 2-1 in their opener against rivals, South Africa, and according to the head coach, Randy Waldrum, the Super Falcons do not want to feel the way they did two weeks ago.
“Coming into the WAFCON, our goal was to qualify for the World Cup and we have done that. Now, we have turned our focus on winning our 10th title and we want to do exactly that. We know that Morocco will have the home crowd behind them but we shall be up for the challenge”.
Waldrum
Nigeria will need to be mindful of Morocco’s dead ball specialty, having scored all their seven goals from set pieces, three penalty goals and four off free-kicks in fine fashion with captain Ghizlane Chebbak leading the way in execution.
Chebbak is also the tournament leading goal scorer with three goals so far alongside Nigeria’s poster girl, Rasheedat Ajibade, who has taken over scoring duties especially in the absence of four-time record African Player of the Year, Asisat Oshoala, who suffered an injury in their opener against South Africa.
Both sides have only conceded twice in the tournament and boast of the best defensive setups in the tournament with both coaches having their work cut out on how to break down their opponents.
The much-anticipated semifinal will take place at the Moulay Abdallah Stadium in Rabat at 2100hrs local time and will be live on SuperSport, BeIN and Arryadia TV in Morocco.
The other semi-final will between Zambia and South Africa with the winner advancing to the finals.
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