Nigeria’s head coach, Justin Madugu, has said his side will not be intimidated by Morocco or their World Cup-winning manager as the Super Falcons prepare to face the hosts in tonight’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final in Rabat.
Speaking during the pre-match press conference on Friday, Madugu expressed confidence in his team’s ability to rise to the occasion, drawing strength from their unmatched experience in the tournament.
“We know it’s not just going to be about going out on the pitch and playing; we must prepare for every scenario. We are fully aware of that. Experience has taught us many things,” Madugu stated.
Despite facing Spain’s 2023 World Cup-winning coach, Jorge Vilda, the Nigerian tactician insisted his team would stick to their strategy and not be drawn into mind games.
He said, “We have our game plans and we are sticking to our game plan, but also we know what we can expect from [the Morocco coach] tomorrow. I hope that the omen of never having lost a previous final continues tomorrow; however, we know all these scenarios are always different.”
The Super Falcons, Africa’s most successful women’s football team, have never lost in a WAFCON final, a record Madugu and his players are eager to uphold.
“We believe in ourselves, we believe in our players, we trust what we are doing, and we will stick to our game plan.
“When you play in games like this, they always come with pressure, but you also have the desire, given that you’ve got to the final, that you really want to make it and you are going hard to try and get to where you want to be, the dream of carrying that trophy,” he added.
Mission X vs Moroccan History: WAFCON Final Preview
Tonight’s clash at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat is more than just a battle for the WAFCON trophy, it’s a meeting of ambition, pride, and a potential turning point in African women’s football.
For Nigeria, it’s Mission X, the pursuit of a record-extending 10th WAFCON title. For Morocco, it’s a historic chance to become the first North African side to win the competition on home soil.
Both teams are unbeaten heading into the final. Nigeria have been rock-solid defensively, conceding only once in five matches, a penalty in their thrilling 2-1 semifinal victory over South Africa. Right-back Michelle Alozie scored the winning goal deep into injury time to seal Nigeria’s place in the final.
“Mission X, that’s what this entire tournament was about,” 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.”
Up front, the Super Falcons have spread the goals around, nine different players have found the net, while goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has been largely untested thanks to a disciplined backline.
Meanwhile, Morocco have shown grit and survival instincts. After a shaky start to the tournament, falling behind twice against Zambia, they reached the final after a tense 4-2 penalty shootout win over Ghana in the semifinals.
Coach Jorge Vilda’s tactical tweaks helped the Atlas Lionesses recover from a poor first half to dominate the second, with Sakina Ouzraoui scoring the equaliser.
But their path has not been smooth. Goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi has looked vulnerable at times, and captain Ghizlane Chebbak, though the tournament’s joint top scorer, has struggled in the knockout stages.
Still, they have quality up front, with striker Ibtissam Jraidi and winger Sanaa Mssoudy capable of changing the game in a flash.
A win tonight would be a landmark moment for Morocco, validating years of investment in women’s football and shifting the continental power balance northward.
Note that this is only the second WAFCON meeting between Nigeria and Morocco. Their last encounter ended in heartbreak for the Super Falcons, who lost 5-4 on penalties in the 2022 semifinal after a 1-1 draw.
Tonight’s WAFCON final will kick off at 9 p.m. Nigeria time.
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