Ghana’s head coach, Kim Lars Björkegren, has backed Nigeria to emerge as champions of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The Swedish manager predicts that the Super Falcons‘ superior quality will edge them past hosts Morocco in Saturday’s final in Rabat.
Björkegren's Ghana have faced the two finalists in recent weeks: the Black Queens lost 3-1 to Nigeria in a pre-WAFCON friendly and succumbed via penalty shootout to Morocco in the semifinals.
When it mattered, though, Björkegren delivered, guiding Ghana to a hard-fought 4-3 penalty shootout victory over South Africa to claim third place in Casablanca.
Former Racing Louisville FC coach Björkegren is full of praise for both WAFCON finalists but subtly threw his weight behind Nigeria when quizzed on who would win the title.
“Who will win? I think it's going to be an interesting game,” the Swedish coach said.
“I think maybe a potential more quality in Nigeria. I would say there are so many good players in Nigeria. Nigeria can probably play with a second team and also win the tournament with a second team. That's my opinion.
“But Morocco is also very organised. So if Nigeria is not showing up, then Morocco will win. But my feeling is they are going to do it. And I put $1 on Nigeria.”
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Björkegren's prediction comes at a time when Nigeria appear to be peaking at the right moment.
The Super Falcons are unbeaten in the tournament, having scored 11 goals and conceded just once – the best defensive record at WAFCON 2024.
Their opponents, Morocco, also boast 11 goals but have shipped six at the other end.
Morocco, who beat Nigeria in the 2022 semi-finals on penalties after the Super Falcons finished the match with nine players, will be aiming to make history by winning their first-ever continental title.
This will be just their second appearance in a WAFCON final, having lost the 2022 showpiece to South Africa.
By contrast, Nigeria will feature in a record 10th final, having won all nine of their previous appearances in the title decider.
The Super Falcons are the tournament’s most successful team, and a win on Saturday would give them a record-extending 10th crown.
Adding to the intrigue is an uncanny omen. Ghana’s bronze medal triumph may have tipped the scales in Nigeria’s favour.
Historically, every time Ghana have secured third place at the WAFCON — in 2000, 2004, and 2016 — Nigeria have gone on to lift the trophy. In those editions, the Falcons defeated South Africa and Cameroon twice, respectively.
In Saturday’s final, Morocco will be bolstered by home support in Rabat’s Olympic Stadium. But if form, history, and superstition are anything to go by, Nigeria may already have one hand on the trophy.
