What's happened
Morocco's women's team reached the WAFCON final after a 3-1 win over Mali, with captain Ghizlane Chebbak scoring a hat-trick. Nigeria defeated South Africa 2-1 in the semifinals. The final will be held in Rabat on Saturday, with both teams aiming for their first title.
What's behind the headline?
The final between Morocco and Nigeria signals a potential shift in African women's football power dynamics. Morocco's rise, marked by recent tournament success and hosting ambitions, challenges Nigeria's traditional dominance. The tournament's increased prize money and Morocco's hosting role underscore growing investment in women's football across Africa. Nigeria's consistent success, driven by their experienced squad, will be tested against Morocco's emerging strength. The outcome could influence future investments and the competitive landscape of African women's football, with Morocco's recent progress suggesting they will be a formidable contender for their first title. This final is not just about the trophy but also about regional influence and the future trajectory of women's football on the continent.
What the papers say
The coverage from Al Jazeera highlights Nigeria's historical dominance, noting their nine titles and recent semifinal victory over South Africa. The New Arab emphasizes Morocco's recent achievements, including their 3-1 win over Mali and their rising profile, with captain Ghizlane Chebbak leading the charge. AP News and All Africa provide detailed match reports, confirming Morocco's progression and Nigeria's consistent performance. The articles collectively suggest a narrative of Morocco's emerging strength challenging Nigeria's longstanding supremacy, with the final representing a pivotal moment for African women's football. The contrasting perspectives underscore the tournament's significance as a potential turning point, with Morocco's hosting and recent success positioning them as serious contenders.
How we got here
Morocco's women's team has seen rapid progress, reaching the 2022 WAFCON final and participating in the 2023 Women's World Cup. Nigeria is the most successful team in the tournament's history, with nine titles. The tournament was delayed a year due to scheduling issues, and the final is hosted in Rabat, where Morocco is also preparing to host upcoming major football events.
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Ghizlane Chebbak is a Moroccan professional footballer who plays as a forward for Liga F club Levante Badalona and the Morocco women's national team. She was named the player of the tournament in the 2022 Africa Women's Cup of Nations. She is the daughter
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Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro GOIH ComM is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Serie A club Juventus and captains the Portugal national team.
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Michelle Chinwendu Alozie (born 28 April 1997) is an American-born Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a forward for National Women's Soccer League team Houston Dash and the Nigeria women's national team.
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Khadija Er-Rmichi (Arabic: خديجة الرميشي; born 16 September 1989) is a Moroccan professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for AS FAR and the Morocco women's national team.
Khadija is considered the most successful player in the history
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Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a country located in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, with land borders with Algeria to the east and Western Sahara to th