Nigeria’s Super Falcons completed a dramatic comeback to defeat host nation Morocco 3-2 on Saturday night at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, clinching a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title.
The final, attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF President Patrice Motsepe, showcased the growing quality and intensity of African women’s football. For Morocco, it was a heartbreaking end to what had been a dream run.
The Atlas Lionesses took control early, thrilling the home crowd with a commanding first-half performance. Captain Ghizlane Chebbak opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a fierce drive from the edge of the box. Eleven minutes later, Sanaâ Mssoudy doubled the lead, weaving through the Nigerian defence and firing into the far corner with precision.
Despite enjoying more possession (56.9%) in the opening half, Nigeria struggled to find any rhythm and managed only two attempts on goal, neither threatened.
However, the second half told a different story.
Nigeria found a lifeline in the 63rd minute when a contentious penalty was awarded. Ijamilusi’s cross struck defender Nouhaila Benzina’s arm, and after much protest from the Moroccans, the referee pointed to the spot. Jennifer Okoronkwo stepped up and calmly slotted the ball past the Moroccan keeper to make it 2-1.
Just eight minutes later, the Super Falcons levelled the match. Okoronkwo turned provider, racing down the right and squaring for Ijamilusi, who tapped in from close range to complete the comeback.
Morocco thought they had won a penalty of their own in the 79th minute following a handball incident, but after a VAR review, the decision was controversially overturned. The reversal added to Morocco’s frustration in what they believed was a string of officiating decisions against them.
With the game heading for extra time, Nigeria struck the decisive blow in the 88th minute. Christy Ucheibe’s long free-kick found Toni Payne, who flicked it into the path of Chinwendu Echegini to poke it home and seal Nigeria’s victory, a goal that fulfilled Coach Randy Waldrum’s mission of winning “Title Number 10.”
The victory came with a $1 million prize, a result of CAF’s 45% increase in the tournament’s total prize pool, now standing at $3.475 million.
While the Moroccans fell just short of their first continental title, their performance throughout the tournament won admiration. Their road to the final included a memorable penalty shootout win over Ghana in the semi-finals. Nigeria, meanwhile, earned their spot with a hard-fought 2-1 win over defending champions South Africa.
In the third-place playoff, Ghana defeated South Africa 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, securing the bronze medal.