In a thrilling final at Rabat’s Olympic Stadium, the Super Falcons overcame hosts Morocco to secure their record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title.
Jennifer Echegini emerged as the star of the night, leading Nigeria’s remarkable comeback from a two-goal deficit to seal a dramatic 3-2 victory over Morocco on Saturday.
Echegini scored the all-important winning goal in the 88th minute to complete a second-half turnaround for Justine Madugu’s girls, who had trailed by two goals at halftime.
Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaa Mssoudy had given Morocco a two-goal lead at the break. However, goals from Esther Okoronkwo, Florence Ijamilusi, and Echegini completed a well-deserved turnaround and victory for the Super Falcons.
The Super Falcons made just one change to the starting XI that edged South Africa in the semi-final, bringing in Deborah Abiodun to reinforce the midfield.
With CAF President Patrice Motsepe and FIFA President Gianni Infantino in attendance, both teams kicked off with high intensity. Morocco capitalised first, breaking the deadlock in the 13th minute when Chebbak latched onto a loose ball and fired a stunning shot into the top corner, leaving goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie with no chance.
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Nigeria struggled to respond, and the hosts doubled their lead in the 24th minute. A cross from the right found Mssoudy, who took advantage of poor defensive positioning to drill a low shot past Gloria Alozie into the far corner, sending the home fans into celebration as Morocco went into halftime with a 2-0 lead.
The second half saw a reinvigorated Nigeria. The Falcons increased their tempo, especially after the introduction of Rinsola Babajide and Jennifer Echegini around the hour mark. Their pressure paid off when a VAR review confirmed a handball from Ijamilusi’s cross, earning Nigeria a penalty. Okoronkwo calmly converted in the 64th minute, sending the Moroccan goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 2-1.
Six minutes later, Nigeria completed the comeback. Okoronkwo turned provider, delivering a cross that Ijamilusi tapped in to level the score at 2-2, silencing the stunned Moroccan crowd.
With momentum firmly on their side, the Super Falcons went on to seal their record-extending 10th WAFCON title, capping a remarkable comeback and avenging their semi-final defeat to Morocco in the 2022 edition.
