The Super Falcons of Nigeria secured their spot in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final after a thrilling 2-1 victory over defending champions South Africa. The semi-final clash, held in Casablanca, showcased the growing competitiveness of women’s football across the continent. Nigerian coach Justine Madugu lauded the rising standard of play, emphasizing the shrinking gap between traditionally dominant teams and emerging nations. He pointed to the surprising upsets during the qualifiers, where several powerhouse teams were eliminated by underdogs, as evidence of this evolving landscape. Madugu underscored the importance of consistent investment and attention to propel African women’s football to even greater heights on the global stage, citing recent progress in the World Cup and Olympics as encouraging signs.
Nigeria’s journey to the final was marked by a hard-fought battle against a formidable South African side. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade opened the scoring for Nigeria with a penalty kick after a handball in the box. South Africa later equalized through a penalty of their own, converted by Linda Motlhalo, following a foul on Jermaine Seoposenwe. The game remained tense until the dying minutes when Michelle Alozie delivered a dramatic winning goal in stoppage time, sending the Super Falcons into their tenth WAFCON final. The match underscored the resilience and determination of both teams, reflecting the heightened level of competition in African women’s football.
Coach Madugu analyzed his team’s performance, acknowledging moments of difficulty but highlighting their ability to recover and grind out the result. He dismissed suggestions that his players were overwhelmed by South Africa’s reputation, instead attributing the challenges to momentary lapses in focus and execution. The coach emphasized the importance of quickly regaining composure and adapting to the ebb and flow of the game, particularly in high-stakes tournament environments. This mental fortitude, he argued, proved crucial in securing the victory against the reigning champions.
Madugu further reflected on the contrast between his team’s relatively short tenure and the long-term stability enjoyed by South Africa under coach Desiree Ellis. He acknowledged Ellis’s extensive experience, having led the Banyana Banyana to multiple World Cups and Olympics since taking charge in 2014. In contrast, Madugu’s own appointment came less than a year ago. Despite this disparity in experience, he emphasized his team’s focused approach, leveraging their understanding of the players’ strengths and weaknesses to maximize their performance. He acknowledged the value of continuity in coaching and expressed his ambition to continue in his role, building a strong foundation for the future.
Looking forward, Madugu outlined his vision for the Super Falcons, highlighting the importance of developing a robust domestic-based squad, similar to the men’s team. He believes this focus on homegrown talent is key to sustained growth and improvement. He envisions a future where the Super Falcons consistently compete at the highest level, drawing strength from a deep pool of talented players nurtured within the Nigerian league. This long-term perspective underscores his commitment to building a sustainable and successful program for women’s football in Nigeria.
The Super Falcons are now set to face hosts Morocco in the WAFCON final, a clash that promises another exciting chapter in the unfolding story of African women’s football. Morocco’s journey to the final included a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Ghana, further highlighting the unpredictable and captivating nature of the tournament. The final will be a showdown between two teams eager to etch their names in history, with Nigeria aiming for a record-extending tenth continental title while Morocco seeks its first WAFCON crown on home soil. This highly anticipated match is poised to showcase the pinnacle of women’s football talent in Africa and further solidify the continent’s growing prominence on the global stage.
