25/07/2025
WAFCON2024; NIGERIA SET TO CLINCH HER 10TH TITLE ON SATURDAY AGAINST HOSTS MOROCCO.
…PLAYING WITH A WOEFUL MEMORY OF 2022 SEMIFINAL CLASH.
Nigeria is set for her 10th title come Saturday at the Olympic Stadium, Rabat when she will take on hosts Morocco in the grand finale of the WAFCON 2024 tournament what has been described as the ROYAL BATTLE OF RABAT at 9pm.
There was a memorable encounter between both countries three years ago where Rasheedat Ajibade was red carded for a foul on a Moroccan and Halimat Ayinde was also red carded in the same WAFCON semifinal clash.
Nigeria had to play 9 against 11 players which badly affected Nigeria in the 3rd place match as the two key players were not available for the 3rd place match against Zambia which Zambia won 1-0 via a 29th minute own goal by Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
On 18th July 2022 in that semifinal match, Mssoudy scored an equalizer for Morocco in the 66th minute after Mrabet scored an own goal in the 62nd minute. Nigerian players were so confused and felt under severe pressure from a hostile environment that every player went to defend the goal area.
Ref Maria Rivet of Mauritius was in charge with a capacity crowd of 45,562 routing for Morocco at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat which Morocco won 5-4 on penalties. Scorers for Morocco were Mrabet, Chebbak, Redoueni,El Chad and Ayane while scorers for Nigeria were Chkwelu, Out, Plumptre known as Oyinbo, and Monday. It was Onumonu that lost her kick and gave the finals ticket to Morocco.
I recall that despite the troubles, Rasheedat Ajibade of Nigeria; Chizlane Chebbak of Morocco and Hildah Magaia of South Africa that were top scorers of the tournament with three goals each. Chizlane who was declared best player of the group stages of this tournament was the Best player of the Tournament in 2022. And she is a rattle snake of a striker that can pour venom on the defence of Nigeria if not taken care of.
Nigeria knows how to neutralize dangerous player
