Nigerian striker Esther Okoronkwo has declared the Super Falcons’ resolve to reclaim continental glory as they prepare for a high-stakes clash against South Africa in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) semi-finals. The Nigerian forward emphasized her team’s singular focus on victory ahead of Tuesday’s rematch at Morocco’s Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, a game carrying the weight of recent history and regional rivalry.
“Our motivation is clear: We want that trophy back in Nigeria,” Okoronkwo stated during a pre-match press conference. The 2022 WAFCON runners-up face a South African squad that edged them out in a dramatic penalty shootout during the previous edition, a result the Nigerian team appears determined to overturn. “Every match demands the same mindset—win, no matter the opponent. We’re prepared, and we’re ready,” she added, downplaying analysis of Banyana Banyana’s tactics. “Stats aren’t our focus. We concentrate on our execution.”
Both teams enter the semifinal after navigating challenging quarter-final hurdles. Nigeria secured their place with a hard-fought victory over Zambia, while South Africa overcame Senegal, showcasing the depth of talent across Africa’s women’s football landscape. The semifinal marks the latest chapter in a growing rivalry between Africa’s top-ranked sides, with Nigeria historically dominant but South Africa having claimed recent bragging rights.
The match’s venue adds another layer of significance: Casablanca last hosted a WAFCON final in 2022, when South Africa clinched their maiden title. A win for Nigeria would not only avenge that loss but also position them to extend their record as the tournament’s most successful team, with nine titles to their name. For Banyana Banyana, defending their championship would solidify their rise as a continental powerhouse.
As anticipation builds, analysts highlight tactical battles likely to shape the encounter. Nigeria’s physicality and attacking pace, anchored by Okoronkwo’s goal-scoring prowess, will test South Africa’s organized defense and counterattacking threat led by stars like Thembi Kgatlana. The outcome could hinge on which team better handles the psychological weight of their storied competition—a factor Okoronkwo insists her side has addressed: “We’ve learned from the past but play for the present.”
With a finals berth and continental supremacy at stake, Tuesday’s clash represents more than a football match—it’s a contest of legacy, pride, and Africa’s evolving women’s football narrative.
