JUST IN: Nigeria’s Super Falcons win 2024 WAFCON title
By Oluwafemi Adeyeye
The Super Falcons of Nigeria have once again etched their name in African football history, clinching the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in a thrilling final on Saturday.
In a pulsating showdown held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, Nigeria defeated the host nation in a dramatic 3-2 victory.
The win marks Nigeria’s 10th WAFCON title, extending their record as the most successful team in the tournament’s history.
Jennifer Echegini was the star of the night as the Super Falcons staged a stunning comeback from two goals down to defeat Morocco.
Echegini struck the decisive winner in the 88th minute, capping off a dramatic second-half resurgence by Justine Madugu’s side, who had gone into halftime trailing 2-0.
Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaa Mssoudy had given the host nation a strong lead by the break. But a spirited Super Falcons team roared back in the second half with goals from Esther Okoronkwo, Florence Ijamilusi, and the match-winning strike from Echegini to complete the comeback and seal a deserved victory.
The only change to Nigeria’s starting XI from the semi-final win over South Africa saw Deborah Abiodun return to the midfield.
With CAF President Patrice Motsepe and FIFA President Gianni Infantino in attendance, both teams began with intensity, but it was Morocco who drew first blood. In the 13th minute, Chebbak latched onto a loose ball and fired a rocket into the top corner past Chiamaka Nnadozie, giving the Atlas Lionesses a 1-0 lead.
The hosts doubled their advantage in the 24th minute. A low cross from the right found Mssoudy, who capitalized on a lapse in Nigeria’s defense to slot home a precise finish past Gloria Alozie, sending the Rabat crowd into wild celebration.
But the second half belonged to Nigeria. The introduction of Rinsola Babajide and Echegini on the hour mark sparked life into the Falcons’ attack. Their renewed pressure paid off when Ijamilusi’s cross was handled in the box, and following a lengthy VAR review, a penalty was awarded. Okoronkwo calmly converted in the 64th minute, sending the keeper the wrong way to make it 2-1.
Just six minutes later, Okoronkwo turned provider, delivering a pinpoint cross for Ijamilusi to finish from close range, leveling the score and stunning the Moroccan fans into silence.
Morocco thought they had a chance to reclaim the lead when they were awarded a penalty for a handball by Folashade Demehin, but VAR came to Nigeria’s rescue once more. After checking the monitor, the referee ruled that Demehin’s hand was in a natural position and too close to her body for it to be considered deliberate.
Then came the moment of magic. In the 88th minute, Echegini found space on the edge of the box and unleashed a powerful strike to seal the victory for Nigeria.
With the win, the Super Falcons completed “Mission X,” claiming their record 10th WAFCON title. The triumph also extended their dominance in African women’s football, maintaining their tradition of winning the continental crown in consecutive tournaments.
