Nigeria’s women’s football team, the Super Falcons, secured their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title after a come-from-behind 3-2 victory against Morocco in the final on Saturday, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Morocco got off to a dream start. With just 12 minutes on the clock, captain Ghizlane Chebbak opened the scoring with a brilliant strike from outside the box, curling the ball low past Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
The home crowd erupted, sensing history in the making. Things then got even better for the Atlas Lionesses in the 24th minute. Sanaâ Mssoudy doubled Morocco’s lead after a brilliant piece of play to stun the Nigerians.
A slick pass from Ibtissam Jraidi found Mssoudy in space and the forward made no mistake with a composed finish into the bottom right corner.
Nigeria appeared stunned and went into the break trailing by two goals, facing an uphill battle. But coach Justin Madugu’s halftime talk sparked a spirited response from the Super Falcons.
The comeback began just after the hour mark when a VAR review handed Nigeria a lifeline. A handball by Nouhaila Benzina resulted in a penalty, which was coolly dispatched by Okoronkwo to make it 2-1.
From that moment, momentum swung Nigeria’s way.
In the 71st minute, Okoronkwo turned provider, slipping a neat ball into the path of Ijamilusi, who drilled a left-footed effort into the bottom corner to bring Nigeria level.
With the match heading towards extra time, Nigeria continued to push forward and found the winner.
A well-worked set-piece situation saw Esther Okoronkwo once again involved, delivering a clever assist to Joe Echegini, who calmly slotted home in the 88th minute to seal a dramatic turnaround.
Despite late pressure and a flurry of Moroccan attacks, the Super Falcons held firm through a tense final few minutes of stoppage time.
It was a heartbreaking end for Jorge Vilda’s Morocco side, who had impressed throughout the tournament and were bidding to become only the second nation ever to lift the WAFCON trophy after Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea.
But the night belonged to the Super Falcons, whose experience, depth and never-say-die spirit propelled them to yet another African title, their 10th in 13 editions.
The thrilling match saw the Falcons overcome a two-goal deficit to clinch a record-extending 10th WAFCON title, reinforcing their status as the most successful team in the competition’s history.
Nigeria’s triumph not only extended their unmatched legacy on the continent but also served as a resounding statement that, even in the face of rising challengers, they remain the team to beat in African women’s football.
This historic 10th title reaffirms Nigeria’s status as the undisputed powerhouse of women’s football in Africa. It is a culmination of hard work, strategic planning, and the exceptional talent within the Super Falcons squad.
The triumph is not just a victory on the pitch but a significant moment of national pride, inspiring a new generation of female footballers across the country.