A familiar pattern returns as Nigeria attempt to advance forward to precious little effect.

Those finishes by Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaa Mssoudy have been a study in contrasts with the lack of cutting edge and precision from Morocco's opponents.

Rob Stevens
BBC Sport Africa at Olympic Stadium

Another incredible sound in the stadium as Sanaa Mssoudy doubles the lead for the Atlas Lionesses.

She's not had too many sights at goal during this tournament but showed her quality when the ball fell to her.

Two lapses at the back and Nigeria have a mountain to climb. They have a long team huddle in their half before heading back for the kick-off.

The mobile phone lights are on in the crowd - the party has truly started in Rabat.

Sanaa Mssoudy shepherds the ball out on Morocco's left and appeals successfully for a goal kick.

Jorge Vilda's players are defending solidly.

Nigeria advance towards the penalty area but Morocco's Khadija Errmichi gathers possession.

The goalkeeper is yet to be greatly tested.

It's all gone a little quiet since that sensational Ghizlane Chebbak strike to open the scoring.

Nigeria have scored seven goals in their two knockout games so far, and a swift reply here would suit them nicely.

Rob Stevens
BBC Sport Africa at Olympic Stadium

You simply don't give the ball to Ghizlane Chebbak there.

A precise curling finish from the Morocco captain to light the touch paper in this final.

A massive noise from the crowd and she runs behind the bench to celebrate in front of the crowd.

That's her fifth goal of the finals and she now looks certain to win the golden boot.

Nigeria trail for the first time in these finals... what response do they have?

Esther Okoronkwo approaches the penalty area and wins Nigeria a corner on the left.

Christy Ucheibe swings the cross in, and Khadija Errmichi pushes the ball away under her crossbar before collecting the ensuing delivery.

The sides are exchanging promising openings but are yet to make them count in front of goal.

Rasheedat Ajibade enters the box at speed on the right for Nigeria, finding a little space and sending in a cross that no-one meets.

Nigeria recycle the ball and build again on the left, Oluwatosin Demehin ultimately sending an aimless delivery behind.

Morocco have a free-kick in a useful position not far from the penalty area on the left.

Ghizlane Chebbak curls the delivery into the middle of the penalty area, where Sanaa Mssoudy's shot is blocked.

The ball falls for Najat Badri - new to Morocco's line-up tonight - outside the box on the left for a shot that sails comfortably wide.

Nigeria win an early corner on the left.

The clearance drops as far as Michelle Alozie outside the box, who scoops a shot high over the crossbar.

Nigeria goalkeeper and new Brighton signing Chiamaka Nnadozie takes control of the ball, sending a long kick upfield.

Morocco start the action, attempting to set off on an attack along the left.

The anthems have been played to a backdrop of palpable passion in the stands.

The teams are exchanging high-fives and handshakes. The line-up snaps are being snapped. Now the captains meet in the middle, Morocco's Ghizlane Chebbak appearing to win the coin toss and choose which direction her side will shoot towards.

What an occasion. Here we go!

As the players emerge from the tunnel to flag and banner bearers, you can get involved too.

Send us your thoughts on the final using the details above.

Don't forget that alongside our updates, listeners to the BBC World Service in Africa can hear live radio commentary with Maz Farookhi and former Nigeria international Desire Oparanozie (kick-off 20:00 GMT / 21:00 BST), while the match will be streamed for viewers in the UK on iPlayer.

You can find the button to watch at the top of this page.

Image source, BackPage Pix

Before the finals, Nigeria's football federation boldly named their tilt at regaining the title they last won in 2018 Mission X.

Coach Justin Madugu has found a balance to his side featuring physicality at the back, dominance in midfield and a potent front three spearheaded by Esther Okoronkwo's intelligent build-up play.

The Super Falcons' threat from across the pitch is underlined by having nine different goalscorers, with right-back Alozie the unlikely match-winner in their victory against South Africa.

"We're born with the zeal to fight and want to win every game," forward Okoronkwo told BBC Sport Africa.

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who has signed for Women's Super League side Brighton, has rarely been tested and the only time she has been beaten thus far was from the penalty spot.

Oparanozie thinks the Super Falcons will be out for "revenge" after their semi-final exit at the hands of the Moroccans in 2022 - a game in which saw they had two players sent off by the 72nd minute and eventually lost on penalties.

Image source, BackPage Pix

As well as the trophy and prize money, there is plenty to play for on either side.

Having returned after a 22-year absence at the 2022 edition, Morocco have become one of the continent's top teams.

Victory would answer questions about their performances at these finals, including falling behind twice against Zambia in the opening game and trailing Ghana at half-time in the last four.

Star player and captain Ghizlane Chebbak has faded in the knockout stage but remains a potential game-changer and the tournament top scorer with four goals, while winger Sanaa Mssoudy is yet to recapture the form that earned her the best player accolade at last year's Women's African Champions League and in the 2024-25 Moroccan league campaign.

Jorge Vilda's appointment was controversial, given he left the Spain job amid the fallout from an incident at the 2023 Women's World Cup final when then-federation president Luis Rubiales kissed player Jenni Hermoso without her consent.

Rubiales was found guilty of sexual assault and fined, while Vilda was cleared of allegations of coercion.

Yet his presence in the Morocco dugout has divided supporters - even if he could create history by helping a North African side win Wafcon for the first time while also achieving a unique personal double.

"Morocco are going to need a coach to make them more than the sum of their parts to win this final," Algerian journalist Maher Mezahi told the BBC World Service.

"I've even seen arguments to say that Morocco hiring Vilda, if he gets them to win the Wafcon, would be worth it because it's going to do so much more for the women's game - even if that is a little bit tainted with him being the coach."

Image source, Caf

Picking a favourite is not easy. Both finalists are unbeaten, but neither made a compelling case in the semi-finals.

The North Africans, who have Spain's Women's World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda in the dugout, needed penalty kicks to get past Ghana, while Nigeria, the continent's top-ranked side, scored a stoppage-time winner to knock out defending champions South Africa.

Here are all of their results on their roads to the final...

Morocco

Group stage2-2 vs Zambia4-2 vs DR Congo1-0 vs Senegal

Quarter-finals3-1 vs Mali

Semi-finals1-1 (4-2p) vs Ghana

Nigeria

Group stage3-0 vs Tunisia1-0 vs Botswana0-0 vs Algeria

Quarter-finals5-0 vs Zambia

Semi-finals2-1 vs South Africa

Rob Stevens
BBC Sport Africa at Olympic Stadium

The Olympic Stadium was packed well before kick-off, with the home crowd providing raucous cheers when the Morocco team came out to check on the state of the pitch and when the Atlas Lionesses warmed up.

Nigeria, of course, were roundly booed by the partisan crowd. A smattering of Super Falcons fans - maybe 50 or 60 in total - are pinned in a far corner.

It's a full house of about 21,000 but the much larger Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium - which attracted more than 50,000 to the final in 2022 - looms over the stage for tonight's showpiece game.

That venue is undergoing renovation and expansion ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with several towering cranes present to work on its exterior.

Either way... the home crowd expects a Morocco win tonight.