By Dickson Bandera
The Super Falcons of Nigeria have lifted the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) for an unprecedented 10th time after a dramatic 3–2 comeback victory over hosts Morocco in Rabat on Saturday night.
The final, played at a packed Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah, was an emotional rollercoaster that saw Nigeria recover from a two-goal deficit to snatch victory in the dying minutes — cementing their unrivalled dominance in African women’s football.
The Atlas Lionesses, coached by Spain’s World Cup-winning manager Jorge Vilda, stunned the defending champions early. Captain Ghizlane Chebbak struck first in the 13th minute to send the home crowd into raptures, before Sanaa Mssoudy doubled Morocco’s lead in the 24th with a clinical finish that left Nigeria reeling.
Morocco carried their two-goal cushion into the break, but Nigeria’s acting head coach Justin Madugu made inspired changes early in the second half, bringing on Rinsola Babajide and Jennifer Echegini to inject fresh pace and purpose into the attack.
The momentum shifted in the 64th minute when Esther Okoronkwo calmly converted a penalty after a Moroccan defender was penalised for a handball in the box. Just seven minutes later, Okoronkwo turned provider — finding Folashade Ijamilusi in the box, who slammed home the equaliser to make it 2–2 and stun the home fans into silence.
Morocco thought they had a lifeline moments later when the referee awarded them a penalty for a Nigerian handball, but a VAR check overturned the decision — a pivotal moment that kept Nigeria alive.
Five-time CAF Women’s Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala was introduced late on to steady the ship and add experience up front. In the 88th minute, Okoronkwo again played the hero, linking up brilliantly to find Jennifer Echegini, who made no mistake from close range to complete the dramatic comeback and seal the historic win.
The individual honours reflected the Super Falcons’ dominance. Rasheedat Ajibade, who dictated Nigeria’s play throughout the competition, was named Player of the Tournament. Safe hands Chiamaka Nnadozie took home the Best Goalkeeper award, conceding just two goals all tournament. Morocco’s captain, Ghizlane Chebbak, claimed the Golden Boot as top scorer, while South Africa received the Fair Play Award. Ghana edged Zambia to claim bronze in the third-place playoff.
This triumph adds another golden chapter to Nigeria’s extraordinary WAFCON record. The Super Falcons have now won 10 titles — 1991, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, and now 2024 — from the 15 tournaments staged since the competition’s inception in 1991. Remarkably, they have reached the semi-finals in every single edition, have only once finished third (2008) and placed fourth twice (2012 and 2022). They remain the only team never to lose a WAFCON final.
With this latest victory, Nigeria’s grip on the continent’s biggest women’s football prize remains as firm as ever — a decade-spanning dominance that shows no sign of fading.
