WAFCON qualifiers: Nigeria know playoff opponents after Liberia and Cape Verde serve 5-goal thriller in Monrovia

The former African champions are on a quest to regain the title they lost in Morocco last year

Nigeria’s Super Falcons are scheduled to face off against Cape Verde in the second round of qualifiers for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Soccernet.ng reports.

This exciting matchup comes hot on Cape Verde’s thrilling victory over Liberia, earning them the privilege of locking horns with the African powerhouse.

Cape Verde’s path to this crucial encounter was paved with a convincing 6-2 aggregate victory over Liberia in the first round of the qualifying playoffs.

The determination of the Coach Silvéria Nédio-led Cape Verdeans was on full display as they triumphed 3-2 in the second leg in Monrovia on Tuesday night, following up on a commanding 3-0 win in Praia just last week.

The Super Falcons, on the other hand, found themselves with an early pass to the second round. This circumstance arose due to São Tomé and Principe’s withdrawal from the first leg, resulting in a walkover for Nigeria.

Nigeria, a juggernaut in women’s football on the African continent, boast a remarkable record with nine previous triumphs at the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations.

The Falcons’ consistency also shines on the global stage, having qualified for every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and impressively reaching the knockout stages at the tournament earlier this summer. 

In stark contrast, Cape Verde, ranked 133rd in the world, stands as a relative minnow in the international women’s football scene.

They have yet to secure qualification for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, the Olympics, or the FIFA World Cup.

Nigeria and Cape Verde will clash in December, vying for a coveted place in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, to be hosted by Morocco.