Nigeria and Morocco will face off in the 2024 Women's African Cup of Nations final after defeating South Africa and Ghana, respectively, in their semi-final fixtures.

Nigeria Ended South Africa's Reign In the Amapiano Derby

Nigeria had never won back-to-back Women's AFCON tournaments. That fact made Mission X sound like desperation to rivals and neutrals, who felt the continent's giants were becoming threatened by the growing competition in this new era.

But after walloping Zambia and seeing off defending champions South Africa—two of the other three teams pundits have also tipped for the title—everyone can now reaffirm that the mission isn't just a dream but a destination.

On Tuesday, Michele Alozie netted an injury-time winner for the nine-time African champions to finally kill off the resistance of South Africa, who are fast becoming a thorn in the flesh of the Super Falcons.

Banyana Banyana have been victorious four times in the fixture—more wins than any other African team has managed against the Super Falcons.

They were tipped to retain their title. Even after struggling to overcome Senegal in the quarter-finals, they remained resolute in believing that the Falcons were there for the taking.

Fair enough, it was an evenly contested clash heading into the final minutes of the first half. But Nigeria went ahead before the interval, when captain Rasheedat Ajibade converted from the spot after Bambanani Mbane was penalised for handling Folashade Ijamilusi's goal-bound shot.

By opening the scoring on the stroke of halftime, Ajibade netted her first goal of the tournament and increased her tally against Banyana Banyana to three, making the defending champions one of her favourite victims.

Nigeria, who had not conceded a goal up to that point in the tournament, were pegged back on the hour mark as Linda Motlhalo ended their clean sheet run from the spot, after Osinachi Ohale was penalized for a foul on Hilda Magaia.

With the game entering the final minutes and both sides succumbing to fatigue, it became end-to-end stuff at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca. It was anyone's game, and fortunately for Nigeria, luck smiled on the Falcons.

With less than two minutes remaining of the six added, Justin Magudu's charge took the lead—and in the most awkward of circumstances. Michele Alozie sent a long cross into the box with two Nigerian players ready to attack it after beating the offside trap.

Fortunately, neither got a touch, and their movement was enough to deceive goalkeeper Andile Dlamini, who was left in no man’s land as the simple cross nestled into the back of the net—just before the full-time whistle.

There was some confusion about the goalscorer in the stadium. Still, Nigerians celebrated a massive goal, which was eventually credited to Alozie and proved enough to send the record winners into a historic tenth final.

It was the California-born rightback's second goal for the team, her first since scoring the first of Nigeria's three in a 3-3 draw with Portugal in the WNT. Summer Series in June 2021.

Esther Okoronkwo, who assisted the winner, has now literally played a part in at least one goal in four of the Falcons' five games so far in Morocco, and now leads the way on assists with four, at least two more than any other, while she also has a goal to her name.

As a result of the win over the defending champions, Nigeria equalled Brazil as nations to have reached ten continental finals, trailing only China, who hold the record for the most (11).

With a perfect record in their previous nine finals, a win for the Super Falcons in Saturday's final against Morocco will see them overtake the Chinese and become the only team in history with double digits of continental titles.

Morocco Thwarted Jollof Derby For A Fair Final

Morocco, for the first time in their history, reaches back-to-back finals in the Women's African Cup of Nations after seeing off Black Queens of Ghana on penalties to secure their spot in the main event on Saturday.

The North Africans had not qualified for the tournament in the 21st century before hosting it in 2022, where they finished as first runner-up after losing the final to South Africa — making history as the first Arab nation to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.

Morocco had faced tough competition so far in this edition, but has managed to stay unbeaten. They secured a draw against Zambia, who have so far been their biggest test, and in the quarter-finals, they comfortably beat Mali 3-1 to reach the semi-finals.

Favourite against the Black Queens, who have never gone past the semi-finals since finishing runner-up to Nigeria in 2006, Morocco fell behind before the half hour, as Bonsu Kyerewaa's header crossed the line after coming off the upright.

The host responded five minutes before the hour mark following a questionable defensive awareness by a Ghanaian player, who was robbed of possession, and the ball eventually ended with Sakina Ouzraoui Diki to fire home from close range.

The game went to penalties after extra time, and kicking first, Morocco scored all four attempts while Ghana couldn't keep up after scoring their first two attempts. Those were followed by misses from Evelyn Badu and Comfort Yeboah as Morocco Lioness won 4-2.

They secured their place in another final, and awaiting them is Nigeria, which has never lost in the Women's AFCON final. Morocco, having lost in the last final, will hope the sun shines on them this time, although they must know it won't come easily.

Meanwhile, Ghana takes on defending champions South Africa on Friday for the bronze medal.