Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) favourites Nigeria takes on Tunisia in their opening Group B game, with the clash set for the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Sunday at 5pm (WAT).
Hosts Morocco were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against Zambia in an entertaining start to the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, at the Stade Olympique in Rabat on Saturday night.
On Sunday, what promises to be a highly entertaining match marks the second meeting between Nigeria and Tunisia at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
PREVIEW
This will be Nigeria’s seventh match against North African opposition at WAFCON. They remain unbeaten in open play (W4 D2).
Their only defeat to a North African side came via penalties at the 2022 finals, after a 1-1 draw with hosts Morocco in the semi-finals.
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Tor Tunisia, this fixture will be it’s fifth WAFCON match against West African opposition. Their record stands at P4 W1 D2 L1.
Tunisia previously drew 0-0 with Nigeria and lost 3-2 to Ghana in the 2008 group stage. In 2022, they defeated Togo 4-1 and then drew 0-0 with Senegal in a 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Intercontinental Play-off (ultimately losing on penalties).
Super Falcons of Nigeria
Nigeria booked its place at the current edition by defeating Cabo Verde 5-0 at home (30 November 2023) and 2-1 away (5 December 2023), despite conceding early in the second leg. This will be Nigeria’s 37th group-stage match at the finals (P36 W28 D5 L3).
The Super Falcons have been African champions nine times, tied for the most continental titles globally with China (AFC) and the USA (CONCACAF). They are the most successful nation in WAFCON history, with titles in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018.
Coach Justine Madugu is satisfied that he has a team that can hold its own right from the first match against Tunisia on Sunday.
“We are very focused on our realisable and achievable target of Mission X,” Madugu said in an interview after the Super Falcons strolled past West African rivals Ghana in their last pre-tournament friendly.
“The girls are ready and are showing real hunger for victory and team spirit is high. We are looking forward to our first match on Sunday against Tunisia.”
Coach Madugu selected 24 players to represent Nigeria for the 2024 WAFCON tournament.
Nigeria will come into the encounter against Tunisia hoping to claim all three points. The only previous encounter between the two nations came at the 2008 tournament, when they played out a goalless draw in their second Group B game in Bata, Equatorial Guinea.
In that 2008 edition, Nigeria had drawn 1-1 with Ghana in their opening match, while Tunisia lost 2-1 to South Africa. Nigeria advanced as group runners-up alongside South Africa, while Tunisia finished bottom of the group.
TUNISIA
Tunisia reached the quarter-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in their last appearance in 2022. This is their third WAFCON appearance, having debuted in 2008. They were eliminated in the group stage in 2008 but reached the knockout round in 2022.
For this edition, Tunisia defeated Niger 12-1 on aggregate in the first round of 2024 qualifying, winning 7-0 at home and 5-1 away on 22 and 23 September 2023. Sabrine Ellouzi scored five goals across both legs, including a hat-trick in the first.
In the second round, Tunisia beat Congo 6-3 on aggregate—winning the home leg 5-2 and drawing 1-1 away. Salma Zemzem netted a hat-trick in the first leg (30 November 2023).
All-time top scorer Mariem Houij will aim to add to her WAFCON tally, having scored once in 2022. Ellouzi, who scored twice in 2022, will also be looking to increase her total at the finals.
The match is expected to be a tactical battle as Nigeria will aim to assert its dominance early and leverage their attacking firepower, while Tunisia will look to frustrate the Falcons with a disciplined defensive setup and capitalise on counter-attacking opportunities.
A positive start is crucial for both teams in Group B, as they vie for a spot in the knockout stages. The stakes are high and fans can anticipate a captivating encounter as the Super Falcons embark on its quest for a historic tenth WAFCON title.
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