Nigeria’s Super Falcons Clinch Historic 10th WAFCON Title with Dramatic 3-2 Win Over Morocco
Rabat, Morocco – In a match that will be remembered as one of the most thrilling finals in Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) history, Nigeria’s Super Falcons staged a spectacular second-half comeback to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 on Saturday, securing their record-extending 10th continental title and $1 million in prize money.
Mission X Accomplished: Falcons Cement African Dominance
The victory, dubbed “Mission X” by the Nigerian squad, not only reaffirmed their status as Africa’s premier women’s football team but also served as sweet revenge against Morocco, who had eliminated them on penalties in the 2022 semi-finals.
“This is more than just a trophy,” said captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who was named Player of the Tournament. “It’s about restoring our pride and showing the world why we remain the queens of African football.”
A Tale of Two Halves: Morocco’s Early Dominance Meets Nigerian Resilience
First Half: Hosts Take Command
Morocco made a dream start in front of their home crowd at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. Captain Ghizlane Chebbak opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a clinical finish, before Sanaâ Mssoudy doubled the lead in the 24th minute, sending the 50,000-strong crowd into raptures.
Second Half: The Nigerian Fightback
The Super Falcons emerged from halftime with renewed determination. The turning point came in the 64th minute when Esther Okoronkwo calmly converted a penalty to halve the deficit. Seven minutes later, Folashade Florence Ijamilusi completed Nigeria’s comeback with a superb equalizer.
With momentum firmly in their favor, substitute Jennifer Echegini became the hero in the 88th minute, sweeping home from Okoronkwo’s free-kick to complete the dramatic turnaround.
Individual Accolades for Nigerian Stars
Beyond the team triumph, several Nigerian players earned individual recognition:
- Rasheedat Ajibade – Player of the Tournament
- Chiamaka Nnadozie – Goalkeeper of the Tournament
- Esther Okoronkwo – Included in Team of the Tournament
Historical Significance of the Victory
This triumph extends several remarkable records for Nigerian women’s football:
- 10th WAFCON title (extending their record as most successful nation)
- Maintained perfect record in WAFCON finals (10 appearances, 10 wins)
- First team to win WAFCON after trailing by 2+ goals in the final
Road to the 2025 WAFCON Title
The Super Falcons’ journey to their historic 10th title included:
| Stage | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | Senegal | 2-0 Win |
| Group Stage | Cameroon | 1-1 Draw |
| Quarterfinal | South Africa | 1-0 Win |
| Semifinal | Ivory Coast | 2-1 Win |
| Final | Morocco | 3-2 Win |
What This Means for African Women’s Football
The 2025 WAFCON final showcased the rapid development of women’s football across Africa. While Nigeria maintained their traditional dominance, Morocco’s impressive performance as hosts demonstrated the growing competitiveness of the tournament.
“This was perhaps the most competitive WAFCON we’ve ever seen,” noted CAF President Patrice Motsepe during the trophy presentation. “The quality on display today proves African women’s football is reaching new heights.”
Looking Ahead: World Cup Qualification and Beyond
With this victory, Nigeria automatically qualifies for the 2026 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where they’ll look to improve on their previous performances. The Super Falcons have never advanced beyond the quarterfinals at the global tournament.
Coach Randy Waldrum praised his team’s character: “These players showed the heart of champions today. We’ll enjoy this moment, then turn our attention to making an impact on the world stage.”
The $1 million prize money represents the largest single payout in WAFCON history and will significantly boost women’s football development in Nigeria.