Nigeria’s Super Falcons have lifted the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) trophy for a record 10th time, coming from behind to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in a thrilling final. The match, played at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, saw Morocco take an early lead through Ghizlane Chebbak in the 12th minute, followed by Sanaâ Mssoudy’s goal in the 24th minute, which gave the Atlas Lionesses a 2-0 advantage.
However, the Super Falcons showed remarkable resilience and determination, mounting a stunning comeback in the second half. Esther Okoronkwo pulled one back for Nigeria from the penalty spot in the 64th minute, before Folashade Florence Ijamilusi levelled the scoreline with a goal in the 71st minute. The turning point came when substitute Jennifer Echegini scored the winning goal in the 88th minute, sealing the Super Falcons’ victory.
The win marks a historic moment for Nigerian women’s football, solidifying the Super Falcons’ dominance in African football. The team’s head coach, Justine Madugu, praised his players’ mental resilience, saying, “We knew we could do it… When we were two goals down, we kept encouraging the players not to lose their self-belief.” Rasheedat Ajibade was named Player of the Tournament, while Chiamaka Nnadozie won the Best Goalkeeper award.
In a closely contested match, Nigeria edged Morocco in most statistics, recording 14 shots compared to Morocco’s 10, with five on target. The Super Falcons also dominated possession, holding 55% and completing 280 passes with a 69% accuracy rate. Despite the high intensity, the game remained fair, with no yellow or red cards issued.
The Super Falcons’ victory earned them a prize of $1 million (₦1.5 billion), while Morocco received $500,000 as runner-up. The team’s win is a testament to their hard work and dedication, and they will undoubtedly be celebrated as heroes upon their return home.
