‘We play at home’ — Morocco’s World Cup-winning coach warns Super Falcons ahead of WAFCON final

The stage is set for one of the biggest showdowns in African women’s football as hosts Morocco face record-chasing Nigeria in the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

With both teams just 90 minutes away from making history, Moroccan head coach Jorge Vilda has turned up the heat, reminding everyone that the Atlas Lionesses have no intention of letting the title slip away on home soil.

Jorge Vilda, who famously led Spain to their first-ever Women’s World Cup triumph in 2023, is chasing history of a different kind in Morocco.

The Spanish coach made it clear during his pre-match press conference that the pressure of hosting the final is actually an advantage for the North African nation. Speaking with fiery optimism, Vilda declared: “I say it again, it is a game and a final. We play at home. We play with our fans.”

Morocco reached the final after a nail-biting penalty shootout against Ghana, and they now find themselves with a golden chance to dethrone Nigeria on home turf.

The Moroccan camp has been buzzing with energy, and the coach believes the hunger within his squad could be the difference. “Our players have a lot of desire and enthusiasm to make history. We are here to make history. They have it inside, and that is what we are going to try to do,” he added.

While Vilda offered respect to the Super Falcons, calling them a side with immense pedigree and experience, he hinted that Nigeria can be beaten. He pointed to their strengths: power, individual brilliance, and hsitory, but also subtly suggested Morocco has studied their weaknesses.

“It is a team that not only has physically strong players, but also different players on an individual level. They also have experience in other competitions,” Vilda acknowledged.

Nigeria, who edged past defending champions South Africa 2-1 in a tense semi-final, are chasing a landmark tenth WAFCON titlea feat that would give them the most continental titles in women's football globally, surpassing the United States and China.

The Olympic Stadium in Rabat will be packed to the rafters on Saturday evening. And while Nigeria wants to conquer Africa for a tenth time, Morocco is looking to do it for the first time, right in front of their roaring home crowd.