Nigeria and Morocco Set New Record in History of Women’s Football in Africa After 2022 AWCON Semifinal Clash

Nigeria and Morocco Set New Record in History of Women’s Football in Africa After 2022 AWCON Semifinal Clash

Babajide Orevba
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:07 PM
  • Morocco vs Nigeria will go into the history books following a record number of attendees
  • The Moulay-Abdallah sports complex in Rabat was filled to the brim as Moroccans stormed the facility to cheer their team
  • It was gathered that 45,562 spectators were in the stands during the encounter which is a record attendance for a women’s match in Africa

The semifinal clash between the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco and Super Falcons of Nigeria will go down the history records of African women’s football.

The highly entertaining encounter of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations had an unprecedented attendance

Lookcharms reports that 45,562 spectators were in the stands of the Moulay-Abdallah sports complex in Rabat to watch the semi-final between the Atlas Lionesses and the Super Falcons.

Nigeria, Morocco, AWCON 2022
Morocco vs Nigeria at the 2022 AWCON witnessed a record attendance of 45,562 spectators. Photo: AFP
Source: Getty Images

This is the first time that such a large number of people have seen a women’s football match on the African continent.

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Meanwhile, the Moroccans edged their Nigerian counterparts to qualify for the tournament after a much-contested battle.

Despite being reduced to ten women, Nigeria went ahead following an own goal in the 62nd minute, but the hosts drew level four minutes later.

The Super Falcons were further reduced to nine women after Rasheedat Ajibade was sent off midway into the second half before the encounter headed into penalties.

Morocco won 5-4 via penalties and will now take on Banyana Banyana of South Africa in the final of this year’s tournament.

Nigerians blast CAF, match officials

Meanwhile, Nigerians are unimpressed with the officiating of the Morocco vs Nigeria clash at the ongoing Africa Women’s Cup of Nations.

Many of them faulted the decision to send off two players claiming it was because Morocco hosted the tournament.

Quite a number of them have taken to social media to lambast the Confederation of African football as well as the match officials, saying they all wanted Morocco to win.

South Africa through to AWCON final

Sports Brief earlier reported that South Africa qualified for the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations with a nervy 1-0 win over Southern African rivals Zambia at the Stade Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca.

Linda Mothlalo scored a 94th-minute penalty to see Banyana Banyana reach their second final in a row.

The penalty was highly controversial and will be the subject of debate for a while to come.

Authors
Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
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