Former Zambia star, Melissa Kape Saili, tips Morocco to edge thrilling WAFCON final against Nigeria

The Star

2 days ago

Former Zambia Women's national team player, Melissa Kape Saili, believes host nation Morocco may just edge the highly anticipated Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final against reigning champions Nigeria. Speaking exclusively to Showmax Premier League ahead of the monumental clash, Saili offered a compelling analysis of the tournament's standout teams and the remarkable growth of women's football across the continent.
"That's going to be a cracker of a match," said Saili when asked about the final showdown. 'Obviously Morocco have the 12th player with their fans and them playing at home. Nigeria come with experience, having won this competition numerous times. They going to go to any extents to make sure they return the glory that they've always come up with in this tournament."
Despite Nigeria's formidable record, Saili is leaning towards the hosts.
"Morocco will want to get their maiden WAFCON trophy, so between these two teams I would go for Morocco. As much as Nigeria is playing great football, I should maybe try to take a risk and gamble and say Morocco will win it."
She highlighted Morocco's impressive resilience throughout the tournament.
"They've had great mental strength right from the first game. So many times they have come from behind to equalise and win the game. Their mental resilience is excellent.'
'Their endurance levels are brilliant and the tactical way the coach changes the game has been excellent. Look at the game against Ghana, we expected Morocco to crumble and not come back into it, but again they came back with a totally different game tactically."
Reiterating her prediction, Saili added: "I have the belief that Morocco may just win this one. They are hosting it, and in the last edition of WAFCON, they reached the final as well. They have been consistent in their performance. But Nigeria will also be hungry to win. They want to come back and reclaim their glory, and once again be the landlords of the trophy. The journey of both teams has been great.
'Nigeria is showing hunger to win it back, but so does this consistent combative Morocco team. The final is going to be a tough match for both teams, but I believe that Morocco may just run away with it this time round."
Beyond the finalists, Saili was particularly impressed by the performances of other nations.
"I was most impressed by Algeria and Tanzania. Those two teams are for me the most impressive. It was just Tanzania's second experience at WAFCON. Their game against Banyana Banyana was undoubtedly the best game of the tournament for me.
'A lot of people thought it would be a walk in the park for Banyana Banyana, but then everybody was shocked to see how Tanzania took the lead. It took a lot from Banyana Banyana to come back and get the equaliser in the dying minutes of the game."
She also praised Algeria.
"Algeria also really impressed me. They didn't score much, but didn't concede in open play which was remarkable. They were a little blunt in front of goal in the tournament, but they were excellent in all other areas of the game."
Saili also expressed her immense satisfaction with the overall quality of football displayed at this year's WAFCON, underscoring the significant advancements in African women's football.
"A lot of talent was unearthed at this year's WAFCON because we saw a lot of players come to the limelight, and we unearthed some raw talent. 'There were lots of youngsters in the Tanzanian team that made a remarkable impression. We saw a super great Algerian team, we saw a Ghana team that fought hard despite having such a tough start to the tournament.
'They picked themselves up, and especially played their lungs out in the last two games of the tournament. They lost their final game in the tournament against Morocco, but they gave everything in the game. Morocco to me had the best mental strength in the tournament. To come back multiple times to win games shows what a resilient team they are."
"We also saw sparks in the Nigeria v Banyana Banyana game. Too bad we had that freak accident on Gabriella Salgado, I do wish her well.' 'South Africa also lost their way at some point in the semi-final. At one point in the game I thought they would get the winner and set themselves up in a final once again. I thought we would see a repeat of the last WAFCON final between Banyana Banyana and Morocco."
Saili added that women's football continues to improve on the continent of Africa.
"To be honest, I was impressed with all the teams in the tournament, and going forward we will see even more competitive games. T here has been a lot of improvement in African women's football, not only in Zambia but all over the continent. What the ladies are achieving has been remarkable. Lots of strides have been taken and steps have been made. Many of our players are also plying their trades outside of Africa, so we are seeing quality football being played everywhere. I'm happy to see the massive improvement that has taken place in African women's football."