Latest news with #WAFCON
The Star
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Star
Former Zambia star, Melissa Kape Saili, tips Morocco to edge thrilling WAFCON final against Nigeria
Former Zambia Women's national team player, Melissa Kape Saili, believes host nation Morocco may just edge the highly anticipated Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final against reigning champions Nigeria. Speaking exclusively to Showmax Premier League ahead of the monumental clash, Saili offered a compelling analysis of the tournament's standout teams and the remarkable growth of women's football across the continent. "That's going to be a cracker of a match," said Saili when asked about the final showdown. 'Obviously Morocco have the 12th player with their fans and them playing at home. Nigeria come with experience, having won this competition numerous times. They going to go to any extents to make sure they return the glory that they've always come up with in this tournament." Despite Nigeria's formidable record, Saili is leaning towards the hosts. "Morocco will want to get their maiden WAFCON trophy, so between these two teams I would go for Morocco. As much as Nigeria is playing great football, I should maybe try to take a risk and gamble and say Morocco will win it." She highlighted Morocco's impressive resilience throughout the tournament. "They've had great mental strength right from the first game. So many times they have come from behind to equalise and win the game. Their mental resilience is excellent.' 'Their endurance levels are brilliant and the tactical way the coach changes the game has been excellent. Look at the game against Ghana, we expected Morocco to crumble and not come back into it, but again they came back with a totally different game tactically." Reiterating her prediction, Saili added: "I have the belief that Morocco may just win this one. They are hosting it, and in the last edition of WAFCON, they reached the final as well. They have been consistent in their performance. But Nigeria will also be hungry to win. They want to come back and reclaim their glory, and once again be the landlords of the trophy. The journey of both teams has been great. 'Nigeria is showing hunger to win it back, but so does this consistent combative Morocco team. The final is going to be a tough match for both teams, but I believe that Morocco may just run away with it this time round." Beyond the finalists, Saili was particularly impressed by the performances of other nations. "I was most impressed by Algeria and Tanzania. Those two teams are for me the most impressive. It was just Tanzania's second experience at WAFCON. Their game against Banyana Banyana was undoubtedly the best game of the tournament for me. 'A lot of people thought it would be a walk in the park for Banyana Banyana, but then everybody was shocked to see how Tanzania took the lead. It took a lot from Banyana Banyana to come back and get the equaliser in the dying minutes of the game." She also praised Algeria. "Algeria also really impressed me. They didn't score much, but didn't concede in open play which was remarkable. They were a little blunt in front of goal in the tournament, but they were excellent in all other areas of the game." Saili also expressed her immense satisfaction with the overall quality of football displayed at this year's WAFCON, underscoring the significant advancements in African women's football. "A lot of talent was unearthed at this year's WAFCON because we saw a lot of players come to the limelight, and we unearthed some raw talent. 'There were lots of youngsters in the Tanzanian team that made a remarkable impression. We saw a super great Algerian team, we saw a Ghana team that fought hard despite having such a tough start to the tournament. 'They picked themselves up, and especially played their lungs out in the last two games of the tournament. They lost their final game in the tournament against Morocco, but they gave everything in the game. Morocco to me had the best mental strength in the tournament. To come back multiple times to win games shows what a resilient team they are." "We also saw sparks in the Nigeria v Banyana Banyana game. Too bad we had that freak accident on Gabriella Salgado, I do wish her well.' 'South Africa also lost their way at some point in the semi-final. At one point in the game I thought they would get the winner and set themselves up in a final once again. I thought we would see a repeat of the last WAFCON final between Banyana Banyana and Morocco." Saili added that women's football continues to improve on the continent of Africa. "To be honest, I was impressed with all the teams in the tournament, and going forward we will see even more competitive games. T here has been a lot of improvement in African women's football, not only in Zambia but all over the continent. What the ladies are achieving has been remarkable. Lots of strides have been taken and steps have been made. Many of our players are also plying their trades outside of Africa, so we are seeing quality football being played everywhere. I'm happy to see the massive improvement that has taken place in African women's football."
Morocco World
an hour ago
- Sport
- Morocco World
WAFCON Final: Morocco Is Ready for Nigeria, Says Coach Vilda
Rabat – Head coach of Morocco's women's team Jorge Vilda has said that his squad is ready for the final of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) against Nigeria. The Atlas Lionesses booked their ticket to the final after defeating Ghana on penalties on Wednesday. In his pre-match press conference, Vilda commented on Morocco's determination to win the final, saying that they will play with 'no inferiority complex, despite Nigeria's experience in the competition.' The Atlas Lionesses are racing for their first WAFCON title after they finished as runners-up in the 2022 edition. Vilda said the squad is in a good physical and mental shape, expressing optimism within the team. One potential bad news for Morocco is Fatima Tagnaout's uncertain participation in the final, having sustained an injury during the semi-final game. Ghizlane Chebbbak, Moroccan star and team captain, said the players are motivated to face Nigeria and to win the continental title. This represents a 'great honor' to play in the final for a second time in a row, emphasizing that the team is confident in their chances to make Morocco proud, she emphasized. Meanwhile, Nigeria coach Justin Madugu said his team is also well-prepared for the final, acknowledging that the game against Morocco won't be easy. Madugu said he is aware Moroccans will gear up to cheer on their squad, commending the significant progress the Atlas Lionesses have made in recent years. The anticipated Morocco vs Nigeria final will take place tomorrow at 9 p.m. Moroccan time at Rabat's Olympic Stadium. Tags: African footballmorocco wafcon
IOL News
2 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
'No deeper issues' but Thembi Kgatlana's absence laid bare Banyana's title defence
Thembi Kgatlana Right from the start, Thembi Kgatlana's unexpected withdrawal from Banyana Banyana's squad raised serious questions about the team's chances at WAFCON in Morocco. Photo: BackpagePix The absence of Thembi Kgatlana was glaringly felt during the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) finishing in Morocco this weekend, where South Africa's national team, Banyana Banyana failed to defend their title. The 83-times capped striker, known for her remarkable goal-scoring capabilities, left a void that the team struggled to fill throughout the tournament. Signs of Kgatlana's absence became evident in the group stage during Banyana's second group match against Tanzania, when the defending champions failed to secure a victory, ending in a surprising 1-all draw. The inability to convert opportunities highlighted a critical gap in the squad, as Kgatlana's offensive threat was sorely missed. Even in the subsequent quarter-final clash against Senegal, which Banyana won on penalties, the team showcased their attacking prowess but could not find the back of the net in regular and extra time. Time and again, the South Africans prised open Senegal's defence, yet with no one possessing Kgatlana's finishing skills, they failed to capitalise on their chances.
Ya Biladi
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Ya Biladi
Women's AFCON 2024 : The Atlas Lionesses aim for their first title
Morocco's national women's team will face Nigeria this Saturday at Rabat's Olympic Stadium in the final of the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, marking their second consecutive appearance in the tournament's title match. The Atlas Lionesses will be looking to clinch their first-ever continental crown. But the challenge will be formidable. Nigeria, the most successful team in the competition's history with nine titles, is hungry for a tenth and eager to avenge their semi-final defeat to Morocco in the previous edition. After reaching the final of the last WAFCON, Morocco is determined to go one step further this time and bring home the trophy, much to the delight of fans across the kingdom who are hoping to celebrate a historic win on home soil. The Lionesses will draw on their growing experience, which has earned them a place among Africa's elite, highlighted by their participation in the last World Cup and back-to-back WAFCON finals. Still, the players are fully aware of the scale of the challenge ahead. Nigeria remains a powerhouse, with a legacy to defend and unfinished business with Morocco. The Moroccan team topped Group A after a 2-2 draw with Zambia and wins over DR Congo (4-2) and Senegal (1-0). They advanced to the final with a 3-1 victory over Mali in the quarter-finals and a hard-fought win against Ghana in the semi-finals (1-1 after extra time, 4-2 on penalties). Ahead of the final, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Thursday that Namibian referee Antsino Twanyanyukwa will officiate the match, assisted by Alice Umutesi (Rwanda) and Tabara Mbodji (Senegal). The final kicks off Saturday at 9:00 PM (GMT+1) at Rabat's Olympic Stadium. The third-place playoff between South Africa and Ghana is scheduled for Friday at 8:00 PM at Casablanca's Larbi Zaouli Stadium.
Al Jazeera
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Al Jazeera
Nigeria and Morocco contest WAFCON in battle of Africa giants
Who: Nigeria vs Morocco What: Women's Africa Cup of Nations final 2025 Where: Olympic Stadium in Rabat, Morocco When: Saturday at 8pm (19:00 GMT). Two of the continent's footballing powerhouses will contest the Confederation of African Football's (CAF's) 2025 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final in Rabat on Saturday as Nigeria take on host nation Morocco. It's the 13th edition of the tournament, which was pushed back a year due to scheduling issues. Al Jazeera takes a look at the match, which could mark a shift in power in the women's game in Africa. How many WAFCONs have Nigeria and Morocco won? Nigeria are the record nine-time champions. Morocco are yet to lift the trophy but did reach the final on home soil three years ago when they were defeated by South Africa. How did Nigeria reach the WAFCON final? Nigeria opened with a 3-0 win against Tunisia, but the highest ranked team needed a late winner to squeeze past the lowest-ranked side, Botswana. A 0-0 draw in their final group game with Algeria secured the top spot in Group B. The Super Falcons hammered Zambia 5-0 in the quarterfinals before overcoming holders South Africa 2-1 in the last four. How did Morocco reach the WAFCON final? Morocco also remain unbeaten but opened the tournament with a 2-2 draw against Zambia. A 4-2 win against the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and 1-0 win against Senegal sealed Group A. Mali were overcome with a 3-1 win in the last eight before Ghana awaited in the semifinal, in which Morocco needed a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw after extra time. 'Mission X' on Nigeria's minds The Nigerian side have come up with branding for their attempt to lift a 10th WAFCON title. Looking to bounce back from their fourth-place finish in the 2022 edition, the Super Falcons dubbed their ambition to win this event as 'Mission X'. A winning mentality in the Morocco camp Morocco's ranks are bolstered by 2022 player of the tournament Ghizlane Chebbak, who netted a hat-trick against the DRC. Atlas Lionesses coach Jorge Vilda could be heading to back-to-back international titles, having led Spain to the 2023 World Cup. 90 minutes from a fairytale ending, The hosts are almost there. 🇲🇦#TotalEnergiesWAFCON2024 — CAF Women's Football (@CAFwomen) July 24, 2025 Who are the leading scorers at WAFCON 2025? Four goals: Chebbak, Nguenar Ndiaye (Senegal) Three goals: Ibtissam Jraidi (Morocco), Chinwendu Ihezuo (Nigeria), Barbra Banda (Zambia), Racheal Kundananji (Zambia) Where is WAFCON 2025 being staged? Morocco have hosted the last two WAFCON finals as the North Africans' place as a pre-eminent footballing force on the continent is reinforced. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation is also preparing to stage the 2025 men's edition of the Africa Cup of Nations and co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Where is WAFCON final being staged? The Olympic Stadium in Rabat with a capacity of 21,000 people will host the final. What is the prize money for WAFCON 2025? CAF increased the tournament prize pot by 45 percent to $3.475m. The prize money for the winners has doubled since the last edition with the victors of Saturday's match sharing $1m. Predicted lineups Possible Nigeria lineup: Nnadozie, Ohale, Plumptre, Okoronkwo, Echegini, Demehin, Ajibade, Ayinde, Ihezuo, Ijamilusi, Alozie Possible Morocco lineup: Er-Rmichi, Redouani, Benzina, Chebbak, Jraidi, Badri, Tagnaout, Rabbah, Ait El Haj, Ouzraoui, Mrabet
