Nigeria’s Super Falcons Stage Dramatic Comeback to Claim 10th WAFCON Title Against Morocco
Nigeria’s Super Falcons
Nigeria’s Super Falcons cemented their legacy as the undisputed queens of African women’s football in a thrilling finale to the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), held in Rabat, Morocco. The WAFCON champions rallied from a two-goal deficit to defeat host nation Morocco 3-2 at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat on Saturday, July 26, 2025. The victory marked Nigeria’s record-extending 10th WAFCON title, proving their tactical prowess and unyielding spirit in the face of a formidable Moroccan side backed by a fervent home crowd. The match, described as a “high-flying spectacle filled with talent, determination, pride, and passion,” showcased the growing competitiveness of women’s football in Africa and Nigeria’s enduring dominance.
The 13th edition of the WAFCON, postponed from 2024 to avoid clashing with the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, culminated in a highly anticipated clash between two of Africa’s footballing powerhouses. Nigeria, the nine-time champions, entered the final chasing a historic 10th title, having never lost a WAFCON final. Their campaign, dubbed “Mission X” by the team, was a statement of intent to reclaim the crown they last won in 2018 after a disappointing fourth-place finish in 2022. Morocco, the Atlas Lionesses, were seeking their first-ever WAFCON title, having reached the final on home soil in 2022, only to fall to South Africa. With the support of a passionate 21,000-strong crowd at the Olympic Stadium, Morocco aimed to make history and signal a shift in the balance of power in African women’s football.
The match was a clash of contrasting styles and ambitions. Nigeria, under coach Justin Madugu, relied on their physicality, defensive solidity, and lethal counterattacks, while Morocco, led by Spanish coach Jorge Vilda, showcased fluidity, tactical discipline, and attacking flair. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) had doubled the winner’s prize to $1 million, a 45% increase in the total tournament prize pot to $3.475 million, adding further stakes to an already monumental occasion.
The Atlas Lionesses, buoyed by the electric atmosphere in Rabat, came out firing. In the 13th minute, Morocco’s inspirational captain, Ghizlane Chebbak, ignited the crowd with a stunning opener. The forward, who had already netted four goals in the tournament to share the Golden Boot race lead, struck a brilliant shot to give Morocco a 1-0 lead. The home side’s momentum continued, and in the 24th minute, Sanaa Mssoudy doubled their advantage, capitalizing on a serene first half for the hosts. Morocco’s early dominance exposed Nigeria’s uncharacteristically sluggish start, and the Super Falcons appeared on the verge of their first-ever WAFCON final defeat.
Morocco’s attacking duo of Chebbak and Ibtissam Jraidi, who had been instrumental in the Atlas Lionesses’ tournament-leading 11 goals, relentlessly tested Nigeria’s defense. The hosts’ tactical discipline, instilled by Vilda, allowed them to control possession and exploit midfield gaps, leaving Nigeria’s backline, led by Ashleigh Plumptre and Osinachi Ohale, under constant pressure. As the first half ended with Morocco leading 2-0, the home fans dared to dream of a historic triumph.
The Super Falcons emerged from the halftime break with renewed vigor, determined to turn the tide. Coach Madugu’s adjustments sparked a dramatic shift, as Nigeria began to assert its attacking intent. In the 64th minute, Esther Okoronkwo, a rising star and key figure in Nigeria’s 5-0 quarterfinal rout of Zambia, converted a penalty to pull one back, igniting hope among the Nigerian contingent. The goal shifted the momentum, and Nigeria’s relentless pressure began to expose vulnerabilities in Morocco’s defense, which had conceded six goals in the tournament and managed only one clean sheet.
Seven minutes later, in the 71st minute, Okoronkwo turned provider, delivering a pinpoint cross into the box. Folashade Ijamilusi, seizing the opportunity, fired a clinical shot past Morocco’s goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi to level the score at 2-2. The Olympic Stadium, once a cauldron of Moroccan support, fell into a stunned silence as Nigeria’s comeback gained momentum. The Super Falcons’ physicality and counterattacking prowess, hallmarks of their tournament campaign, were on full display.
The match’s defining moment came in the 88th minute, when substitute Jennifer Echegini, who had been on the pitch for less than 30 minutes, delivered the decisive blow. Okoronkwo whipped in another trademark cross from the right, and Echegini, with a firm but imperfect connection, steered the ball into the right-hand corner of Er-Rmichi’s net. The goal sparked wild celebrations among Nigeria’s players and their small but vocal pocket of supporters, while Morocco’s bench was left in tears.
Morocco nearly had a chance to reclaim the lead moments before Echegini’s winner. In a tense sequence, the referee initially awarded a penalty to Morocco for a handball, which could have allowed Chebbak to make it 3-2. However, a VAR review overturned the decision, a call that sparked controversy among Moroccan fans and players. Despite the setback, Morocco pressed for an equalizer in the six minutes of added time, but Nigeria’s defense, anchored by goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, held firm.
As the final whistle blew, Nigeria’s players erupted in celebration, with captain Rasheedat Ajibade primed to lift the new-look WAFCON trophy amid a shower of confetti. The Super Falcons had accomplished “Mission X,” overcoming a nightmare first half to secure their 10th continental crown. Their victory is a proof of their unrivaled dominance, having won all nine previous finals they contested, and silenced doubters who questioned whether Nigerian women’s football was losing ground.
The 2024 WAFCON final was a landmark moment for African women’s football, showcasing the sport’s growing competitiveness and investment. Morocco’s back-to-back final appearances, coupled with their preparations to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, showed their rise as a footballing force. Nigeria’s triumph, meanwhile, reinforced their status as the benchmark for excellence on the continent. The increased prize money and global broadcast coverage, with the match aired on over 50 channels including beIN Sports, Canal+, and SuperSport, reflected CAF’s commitment to elevating the women’s game.