Super Falcons Pull Off Stunning Comeback to Win 10th WAFCON Title

Nigeria’s Super Falcons staged a dramatic second-half comeback to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 and clinch a historic 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) crown in Rabat.

The Moroccans looked on course for a maiden continental triumph after taking a 2-0 lead into the break, thanks to Ghizlane Chebbak’s curling opener and Sanaa Mssoudy’s opportunistic strike. But Nigeria responded with remarkable resilience after the interval, overturning the deficit in a thrilling finale at the Olympic Stadium.

Esther Okoronkwo sparked the revival by converting a penalty in the 64th minute after a handball by Nouhaila Benzina. She then turned provider twice, first setting up Folamide Ijamilusi for the equaliser, then delivering a precise free-kick that substitute Jennifer Echegini tucked home in the 88th minute to seal the victory.

The Super Falcons collapsed to the turf at the final whistle, overwhelmed with emotion after completing what had seemed an improbable turnaround. Nigeria’s quest, dubbed “Mission X,” ended in triumph as they reclaimed the trophy last won in 2018 and maintained their perfect record in WAFCON finals.

Morocco, who had brought in 2023 World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda following his controversial exit from Spain, suffered a second consecutive final defeat after falling to South Africa two years ago. Despite heavy investment in women’s football, silverware remains elusive for the Atlas Lionesses.

Nigeria’s triumph also comes with a $1 million prize, the highest in the competition’s history, and they become the first team to lift the redesigned WAFCON trophy. However, celebrations were dampened somewhat by a sparse crowd during the presentation ceremony, attended by FIFA president Gianni Infantino and CAF chief Patrice Motsepe.

A Tale of Two Halves

Despite entering the match as Africa’s top-ranked side, Nigeria made a sluggish start and were punished by a vibrant Moroccan side. Halimatu Ayinde’s misplaced pass led to Chebbak’s 13th-minute opener, while Mssoudy doubled the advantage 11 minutes later.

But Justin Madugu’s side regrouped after the break. VAR awarded Nigeria a penalty for Benzina’s handball, which Okoronkwo dispatched with confidence. She then sliced open Morocco’s defence to set up Ijamilusi’s close-range finish, drawing Nigeria level with just over 20 minutes left.

There was late drama when Morocco were initially awarded a penalty in the 79th minute after Blessing Demehin was judged to have handled the ball at close range. However, referee Antsino Twanyanyukwa reversed the decision following a VAR review.

The comeback was completed when Okoronkwo’s pinpoint delivery from a free-kick found Echegini, who got in front of Benzina to score from six yards out, stunning the 21,000-strong home crowd into silence.

Morocco’s Pain Continues

Backed by significant government support and the personal interest of King Mohammed VI, Morocco’s rise in African football has been swift. But after losing the 2022 final and falling short again this year, the wait for a major title continues.

Coach Vilda introduced tactical variety and attacking fluency to the side, but their journey to the final was far from smooth, requiring comebacks in three matches and a penalty shootout win over Ghana in the semi-finals.

Chebbak, daughter of 1976 AFCON winner Larbi Chebbak, finished the tournament as top scorer with five goals. However, at 35, her dream of matching her father’s feat on the continental stage may be slipping away.

With Morocco set to host the next WAFCON tournament in 2026, expected to take place in March, attention will now turn to building on this experience as they chase that elusive title once again.