Rabat, Morocco – Na today, Morocco go japa with Ghana for Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium as dem challenge each other for the semifinal of the 2024 CAF TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). E go be one serious clash as both teams wan secure their final position like say dem dey fight for gym membership.
Morocco dey ride high on wave of momentum, no be small as dem don dey unbeaten since the tournament start. Dem don knack goals like say na Christmas, with a 2-2 draw against Zambia, and dem later beat DR Congo 4-2. E no stop there, as dem show Senegal say dem too dey play ball by winning 1-0, and finish Mali 3-1 on top quarterfinal level. For Ghana, na different palava as dem start the tournament with one 2-0 wahala from South Africa. But dem no allow dat one bring dem down. Na so dem quickly jolt back with one 4-1 banger against Tanzania.
But no be just football tactics dey ground, the coaches dey pepper the talk too. Morocco head coach Jorge Vilda dey feel the pressure well well. E don use him mouth remind una say, ‘We know say this moment no be small matter. Ghana na solid team, and we must shine for video — I mean, for the pitch. We don prepare for this day, and no be play play.’
On the flip side, Ghana coach Kim Björkegren no dey fear anybody. E don chop ‘lemons’ before from Morocco but now na new Ghana wey don arise. ‘This na different group, and we dey ready to burst their bubble even with their crowd waka. We go play our game and disturb their joy.’ Na serious tin wey dey happen for both camps.
No be only the coaches dey fire up, the players dey motivate themselves too. Morocco forward Ibtissam Jraidi don already sweet talk this semifinal matter: ‘Dis game no just be about us, we wan inspire, we dey ready to win. Whether na I score or assist, wetin matter na team win.’
And for Ghana, defender Sherifat Sumaila dey sure say dem ready to create history: ‘This na my first major tournament, but everybody dey ready to shine. We go play like say we no get pressure. Na we be the underdogs, but we dey hungry!’ Na so e be o.
When you check their history, na wetin dey make dis match spicy. Both Morocco and Ghana don jam five times since 2020, and dem balance for wins 3-3. But, e don clear say Morocco dey hold the recent trend with two wins straight.
But who be the players to watch for dis serious matter? For Morocco, Captain Ghizlane Chebbak don shine bright like star with four goals in four matches. Ibtissam Jraidi dey run the show like say na her house, with her pace and movement always causing wahala for defense. Ghana no dey dull too, with Alice Kusi don come back to join the squad, and she already don score two goals. And no forget Jennifer Cudjoe, wey dey maintain balance for the midfield. Both coaches and players don ready well for war.
So, as we dey look forward to dis epic clash, make we just sit down, pop some popcorn, and enjoy the beautiful game while we no forget the wahala wey dey inside. Na wa o!
