WAFCON2024: Super Falcons Stage Magnificent Comeback to Win Historic 10th Title

What do you do when the chips are down? Do you fold or do you rise? With the odds stacked against them, the Super Falcons of Nigeria fought back from 2-0 down at the break to win 3-2 against hosts Morocco on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at the Olympic Stadium, Rabat, and lift a historic 10th Women’s Cup of Nations title.

Morocco took the lead in the 13th minute through golden boot winner Ghizlane Chebbak(five goals) and were on the front foot, having already won the midfield battle. 11 minutes later, they doubled their lead through Sanaâ Mssoudy and took the lead into the second half. What would transpire next, they did not see coming.

With football being a game of two halves, the Super Falcons had their say. The comeback began with an Esther Okoronkwo goal from the penalty spot, after Morocco’s Nouhaila Benzina handled the ball in the 18-yard box in the 64th minute.

In the 71st minute, Esther Okworonkwo made a brilliant run into the box and crossed it beautifully for Folashade Ijamilusi who made no mistake in burying it, to level affairs for Nigeria.

Just when it looked like things were going the Nigerian way, Morocco reared its head. In the 79th minute, there was a possible penalty to Morocco after Oluwatosin Demehin’s arm made contact with the ball in the 18-yard box. Ghizlane Chebbak already stood behind the ball, waiting to take the spot kick. It was a chance at a sixth goal in the tournament for the Moroccan, but VAR intervened and called the referee to have a second look and she overturned her initial decision. The game remained 2-2.

A few minutes later(88th), Nigeria scored the third and eventual winner via substitute Jennifer Echegini, from a well-weighted cross by Esther Okoronkwo. The crowd went wild, the Moroccan spectators stood in dismay and disbelief, while the Nigerians were ecstatic.

Esther Okoronkwo was named the player of the match, having scored a goal and registered two assists. She has a total of two goals and six assists in the tournament.

Chiamaka Nnadozie kept four clean sheets during the competition and won the Golden Glove. Rasheedat Ajibade was awarded the Most Valuable Player of the tournament after earning three Player of the Match awards, which contributed to Nigeria’s dramatic WAFCON triumph.

This victory means that Nigeria has never lost a WAFCON final.

As the Nigerian adage goes ‘ No be who first call police dey win case.’