WAFCON 2026: How Nigeria vs Morocco became fiercest rivalry in African women’s football

Nigeria’s Super Falcons are the undisputed defending Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) champions after their unforgettable success last year, Afrik-Foot reports.

However, Morocco coach Jorge Vilda has made it clear that his team will not hand over the title to Nigeria this time without another fierce battle.

The Spanish coach believes the Atlas Lionesses are stronger than ever as they prepare to host the tournament for the third time in a row. With a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil also at stake, Vilda says Morocco’s goal is not only to qualify but also to win the country’s first-ever WAFCON title.

Morocco have finished runners-up in the last two editions of the competition, including the dramatic 2025 final in Rabat where they surrendered a two-goal lead before losing 3-2 to Nigeria.

That painful defeat has only increased the determination inside the Moroccan camp.

“Our Lionesses will give their all on the field. They will fight to the end, with commitment and determination. No one will be able to accuse them of a lack of effort. We will do everything possible to make Moroccans proud of their national team,” Vilda said as per AS.

The former Spain women’s national team coach is working alongside fellow Spaniards Miguel Ángel Sopuerta and Kenio Gonzalo as Morocco continue building one of Africa’s strongest women’s football projects.

Vilda enters his third WAFCON tournament with Morocco aiming to complete two major objectives. The first is to guide the Atlas Lionesses back to the FIFA Women’s World Cup by reaching the semi-finals. The second is to finally lift the continental trophy after consecutive silver medals.

“We don’t feel pressure, but rather excitement to showcase the level of this team and its players. We have some of the best footballers in Africa and even one of the best in the world, recognized by FIFPRO and CAF,” he added.

Morocco begin their campaign against Kenya at 9:00 p.m. before facing Algeria and Senegal in Group A. If they qualify for the quarter-finals, they will meet a team from Group B, which features South Africa, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Tanzania.

Meanwhile, defending champions Nigeria headline Group C alongside Zambia, Egypt and Malawi, with the top teams crossing into Group D, which includes Ghana, Cameroon, Mali and Cape Verde.

Nigeria and Morocco rivalry has become WAFCON’s biggest attraction

Although Vilda’s comments were directed at every opponent, Nigeria remain Morocco’s biggest obstacle and the team they desperately want to beat when it matters most.

For many years, the rivalry was completely one-sided. Nigeria crushed Morocco 8-0 during the 1998 WAFCON in Kaduna, with Nkiru Okosieme scoring the first goal of that tournament. Two years later in South Africa, the Super Falcons recorded another emphatic 6-0 victory, with Mercy Akide and Kikelomo Ajayi each scoring twice.

But the balance of power has shifted dramatically over the last few years. At the 2022 WAFCON semi-final in Casablanca, Morocco produced a big upset by stopping the Super Falcons’ match towards another title triumph. Nigeria were reduced to nine players after Halimatu Ayinde and Rasheedat Ajibade were both sent off in the 48th and 70th minutes. Despite the disadvantage, the Super Falcons battled to a 1-1 draw after extra time before Morocco won the penalty shootout 5-4 in front of a record African crowd of 45,562 spectators.

That victory announced Morocco as genuine challengers to Nigeria’s long-standing dominance. The rivalry reached another unforgettable chapter in the 2025 WAFCON final at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.

Playing before a passionate home crowd, Morocco raced into a 2-0 first-half lead through Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaâ Mssoudy. The hosts looked set to claim their first continental title. Instead, Nigeria produced arguably the greatest comeback in WAFCON history.

Esther Okoronkwo started the fightback with a 63rd-minute penalty before Folashade Ijamilusi equalised in the 71st minute. Substitute Jennifer Echegini completed the remarkable turnaround with an 88th-minute winner as the Super Falcons stunned the hosts 3-2 to lift a record 10th African title.

That dramatic final has added even more intensity to a rivalry that has transformed from total Nigerian dominance into a hard-fought battle.

With Morocco once again enjoying home advantage and determined to erase the memory of last year’s heartbreak, Vilda believes his players are ready for another title challenge. But if they hope to become African champions for the first time, they may once again have to overcome the Super Falcons, the team that has repeatedly stood between them and history.