First up, nine-time winners Nigeria enjoy a salivating match against reigning champions South Africa in Casablanca at 16:00 GMT. Next, Morocco hosts Ghana, the lowest-rated team left, in Rabat at 19:00.
We might witness a repeat of the 2022 final itself, when the Banyana Banyana edged past the Atlas Lionesses 2-1, all the way back in the capital on Saturday night.
Form and expectation would suggest a Nigeria-Morocco encounter, but an all-West African match could provide another twist to a tournament that has already generated enough controversy.
Morocco and Ghana would both be first-time champions, with the Confederation of African Football doubling the prize money for the winners to $1m and also launching a new trophy.
Nigeria made a statement to the rest of the continent when they humbled highly rated Zambia 5-0 in Casablanca in the quarterfinals. Former Super Falcons striker Desire Oparanozie termed the scoreline “unexpected” but observed a huge improvement from their performances in the group stage.
“The Super Falcons have that winning mentality – they come out for big matches,” she said on Sportsworld on Wednesday’s BBC World Service. They demonstrated what the African giant truly is.”
The West Africans must now support that all-around performance against another of the continent’s best teams when they host the Larbi Zaouli Stadium. We look forward to retaining this mentality,” goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie said to the BBC World Service.
Although they are still yet to give up in their bid to win a record-breaking 10th Wafcon title – a goal described as Mission X – South Africa will represent the hardest test so far.
The title-holders edged out Senegal 4-1 on penalties following a 0-0 stalemate and have had 24 hours fewer than that to recover from those efforts – and to travel west from Berkane city.
However, Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis says her players will not use that as an excuse. One hundred and 20 minutes with a day less to prepare, with a day to travel, takes a lot out of you.
“But I don’t have enough words to describe this team: the resilience, the courage, the never-say-die attitude, the willingness to fight for each other.” Nigeria beat South Africa in the Wafcon final in 2000 and 2018, but Ellis’ team won 2-1 when they clashed in the group stage three years ago.
“They are the defending champions and the pressure is truly on them,” said Oparanozie. The rivalry has been ongoing for years and the semi-final is going to be a very hard one for Nigeria.”.
“The Mission X schedule has been stretched. South Africa appeared to be the sole team that would keep Nigeria from getting there. Another passionate home crowd at the 21,000-capacity Olympic Stadium awaits in the capital to support the Atlas Lionesses.
“The crowd who have turned up to the stadium has assisted us from the first instant,” coach Jorge Vilda said. It was always like this and we wish it will be the same in the semi-final. What we have in our mind is the desire to get to the final.”
Ghana are back in the quarter-finals for the first time since 2016, having beaten Algeria on penalties after a gritty 0-0 draw on Saturday. Their coach, Kim Lars Bjorkegren, is not concerned about the potential for a biased crowd and believes his team might benefit from any nervousness between the home supporters.
“It can play in your favour if you play well as a home country, but I know it can work the other way,” said the Swede. I know how silent it can be, even if you’re 21,000 or whatever you’ll be. If we get a goal, the kick it will give us will be massive, and you can alter the way you look at the situation.
“We are aware they have quality, but like every team, they possess weaknesses too. Vilda is looking to win his second big trophy after leading Spain to the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
The 44-year-old has brought additional layers to the game of the North Africans since being named in October 2023, as Moroccan journalist Saad Moufakkir explained.
“He brings the Spanish feel, and now we are stronger as a team,” he commented. We believe we can get the games done quicker. With this coach, particularly on the tactical side, I believe we have a lot of guns.
“We can come at teams from the flanks, we can go central, and we can press high or drop off and sit back and look for the counter-attacks. We have options, and I believe that this is the biggest influence [he had on] the national team.”
