What. A. Night! The Super Falcons of Nigeria delivered an unforgettable performance, reminding the entire continent precisely why they are the undisputed queens of African football. In a dramatic show of resilience and skill, they orchestrated an extraordinary comeback to defeat host nation Morocco 3-2 in a thrilling final, securing their record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title on Saturday night in Rabat.
At halftime, the dream seemed distant. Morocco, spurred on by a thunderous home crowd at the Stade Olympique, held a commanding 2-0 lead. Captain Ghizlane Chebbak had set the tone with a beautifully struck low shot in the 12th minute, followed swiftly by Sanaâ Mssoudy's goal in the 24th, leaving the Super Falcons appearing visibly rattled and seemingly out of answers.
But true champions don't falter; they retaliate. And what a response it was.
Whatever tactical wisdom Coach Justin Madugu imparted during the break proved to be truly magical, as Nigeria emerged for the second half as a completely transformed side.
The monumental fightback ignited just past the hour mark when a crucial VAR review identified a handball against Morocco's Nouhaila Benzina. Esther Okoronkwo stepped forward with composure, calmly sending the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot. This pivotal moment sparked belief, not only among the players on the pitch but also electrifying the pockets of Nigerian fans in the stands.
Then came the crucial equalizer. In the 71st minute, Okoronkwo turned from scorer to provider, threading a clever pass to Folashade Ijamilusi, who expertly drilled the ball low into the bottom corner. Suddenly, the score stood at 2-2, and the once-ecstatic Moroccan crowd fell into a stunned silence.
And just as it seemed the match was destined for extra time, Nigeria struck again, seizing the victory. With only two minutes of normal play remaining, Okoronkwo delivered yet another decisive assist, this time to Jennifer Echegini, who calmly slotted the ball home in the 88th minute. Wild celebrations erupted on the Nigerian bench as the Super Falcons completed one of the most breathtaking comebacks in WAFCON history.
The final minutes were fraught with tension, as Morocco desperately launched every attack in search of an equalizer. However, Nigeria held firm, their defense unyielding. When the referee's final whistle echoed through the stadium, it brought tears of joy for the victorious Super Falcons and profound heartbreak for Morocco, who have now endured consecutive WAFCON final defeats on home soil.
Beyond the glory of the trophy, the Super Falcons also walked away with a commendable $1 million in prize money and lifted the brand-new WAFCON trophy, solidifying their legacy.
What an emphatic way to remind the entire continent who the true queens of African football truly are.
Watch the thrilling highlights of the match below!
