The 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, (Wafcon) has entered the semifinal stage with host Morocco taking on nine times champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria while the Banyana Banyana of South Africa will slug it out with the Copper Ladies of Zambia for a berth in the final.
The Wafcon which kicked off on July 9, has churned out entertaining matches but the semifinal matches which pitches the four teams which have already qualified for the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand and Australia next year, will also determine the best female teams on the continent.
Morocco hopes to defeat Nigeria to qualify for the Wafcon final (Photo credit: Goal.com)
Tournament host Morocco will take on nine times champions Nigeria on Monday, July 18, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat while South Africa will take on regional rivals Zambia but beyond the matches, there is a battle for supremacy that will play out in the matches.
Morocco may have won all their four matches in the ongoing competition, while Nigeria suffered a defeat in their first match against South Africa but since that defeat, the Falcons have gone on a rampage, scoring eight goals in the on their way to the semifinals.
The Nigerian team is also the highest African team going by the recent Fifa rankings released in June, coming in as the first in Africa and 39th in the world, while Morocco is ranked eighth in Africa and 77th in the world.
The encounter between the two teams will be the first ever between the West Africans and the North Africans at any level on the international scene.
While Morocco is making its third appearance on the African stage, Nigeria, on the other hand, are participating in its 14 tournament with nine titles to boast of.
The Banyana Banyana of South Africa (Photo Credit: Goal.com)
But before the Morocco/Nigeria match, South Africa and Zambia would have taken center stage in the first match of the day.
The Banyana Banyana may be pundits and fans favourites but the Shepolopolo are no write off themselves and cannot be underestimated.
They have been able to hold their own and qualify for this stage as well as booking a place in the 2023 World Cup and under rating them will be at the peril of the South Africans.