Game is over and the final score is Morocco 2-3 Nigeria. Here is the match report.
2024 African Cup of Nations for Women
2-3
- Line-ups
Morocco XI: Sakina Ouzraoui, Yasmin Mrabet, aziza rabbah, Najat Badri, sanaa mssoudy, Khadija Er-Rmichi, Zineb Redouani, Hanane Aït El Haj, Ghizlane Chebbak, Ibtissam Jraïdi, Nouhaila Benzina
Subs: E. Nakkach, A. Lahmari, I. Arouaissa, I. Saoud, Sara Kassi, Sabah Seghir, ghazouani el imene, Siham Boukhami, Kenza Chapelle, hind hasnaoui
Nigeria XI: O. Ohale, H. Ayinde, C. Ihezuo, R. Ajibade, C. Nnadozie, Michelle Alozie, Esther Okoronkwo, Ashleigh Plumptre, Blessing Demehin, Deborah Abiodun, Florence Ijamilusi
Subs: T. Oluehi, A. Oshoala, T. Payne, R. Babajide, C. Ucheibe, I. Onumonu, Onyi Echegini, Shukurat Oladipo, sikiratu isah, chioma okafor
Match Report
In a thrilling final at Rabat’s Olympic Stadium, Nigeria came from 2-0 down to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 and clinch a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title. Morocco raced into an early lead through Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaa Mssoudy, capitalizing on defensive errors in the opening 25 minutes to put Nigeria on the ropes. Despite missing key forward Fatima Tagnaout, Morocco’s wide play, especially from Sakina Ouzraoui and Mssoudy, tormented Nigeria’s full-backs Ashleigh Plumptre and Michelle Alozie. However, Nigeria responded after the break with an inspired second-half performance led by Esther Okoronkwo. The U.S.-born forward converted a 63rd-minute penalty awarded via VAR after Nouhaila Benzina handled a shot in the area. Okoronkwo then turned provider twice, first setting up Folashade Ijamilusi to equalize before lofting a late cross that substitute Jennifer Echegini tapped home at the back post in the 88th minute to complete the comeback. Morocco thought they had a penalty to restore the lead, but the referee reversed the decision after a VAR review. The result was a crushing disappointment for the hosts, who had been seeking their first WAFCON crown, while Nigeria, who had not won the title since 2018, celebrated a dramatic and hard-earned return to the top of African women’s football.