Sports

WAFCON 2024: Oshoala vs Banda Takes Centre Stage as Morocco Eye Smooth Passage

Published

1 month ago

July 18, 2025

Nikita

Source: TRS Sportz {https://x.com/TRSportzm/status/1946080006280491512/photo/1}

Casablanca is about to catch fire. Not from the Moroccan heat, but from the hottest fixture of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) so far: Nigeria vs Zambia. Meanwhile, in Rabat, hosts Morocco hope for a less dramatic night against an unpredictable Mali.

The Match We all Wanted Just Not This Early

When the knockout fixtures dropped, fans were both thrilled and dismayed. Nigeria vs Zambia? That’s a final in disguise. But here we are — two African heavyweights, one of whom will be sent packing after the quarters.

For Nigeria, the Super Falcons arrive with history on their side — 11-time champions, never eliminated at this stage. For Zambia, it’s a chance to prove that the third-place finish in 2022 and Olympic and World Cup appearances weren’t just flashes of brilliance. This Copper Queens squad, led by Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji , has teeth.

Social media is already dubbing this the “passing of the torch” match. Will Banda, who dethroned Asisat Oshoala for African Player of the Year in 2024, stake her claim as the continent’s new queen?

“Banda vs Oshoala in Casablanca… this is going to be special,” wrote one fan on X, with gifs of fireworks and boxing gloves.
“The winner of this should just be handed the trophy now,” joked another.

Can Zambia break the Falcons’ wall?

Zambia’s attacking flair has been the talk of the group stage. Banda and Racheal Kundananji have terrorised defenders, with Prisca Chilufya and Ireen Lungu feeding the flames. They’re fast. Ruthless on the counter. And not afraid to take on anyone.

But Nigeria haven’t conceded a single goal so far — with Ashleigh Plumptre earning CAF Team of the Group honours and Oluwatosin Demehin quietly doing the heavy lifting at the back.

Zambia may regret conceding late against Morocco in the group opener — that single goal pushed them into second place and right into Nigeria’s path.

Nigeria’s missing bite?

Oddly, for all their experience and attacking pedigree, Nigeria have looked… muted. They breezed past Tunisia but struggled against Algeria and Botswana. Gift Monday and Bayern’s new forward Edna Imade were left at home, raising eyebrows about interim coach Justin Madugu’s squad choices.

Madugu’s own comments haven’t helped his image:

“I hope and expect the Nigeria team will score goals and win the game,” he told ESPN.

That flat-footed optimism may not be enough against a side that loves chaos in transition.

Morocco’s Path Looks Smoother on Paper

Morocco are Through to the Quarter Finals, Source: X

Over in Rabat, Morocco will face Mali in what many see as a formality. The Atlas Lionesses topped their group — thanks in part to their star skipper Ghizlane Chebbak, who already has four goals and looks determined to keep her Player of the Tournament crown.

Morocco came heartbreakingly close to the title in 2022. This year, with 2023 World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda at the helm, they’re hoping to go all the way.

But it’s not all rosy. Keeper Khadija Er-Rmichi had a howler against Zambia, and Morocco’s finishing has lacked polish. Still, they’ll enjoy home support, knockout experience, and a coach who knows how to manage pressure.

Mali Unpredictable, but Underwhelming

Mali scraped through their group with four points but were demolished 4–0 by South Africa in their final match. It was a performance so flat, it drained belief from even their most loyal supporters.

Unless Mali rediscover their early tournament fire, Friday’s nightcap could be a cruise for Morocco.