By 
Nigeria staged a stunning second-half comeback to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 and lift their 10th TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title at the Stade Olympique in Rabat on Saturday night.
Trailing 2-0 at half-time before a passionate home crowd, the Super Falcons showcased their pedigree and resilience, mounting a dramatic turnaround with a display of clinical finishing and unwavering determination to reaffirm their dominance in African women’s football.
Goals from Esther Okoronkwo, Folashade Ijamilusi, and a late strike by Joe Echegini overturned Morocco’s early lead, crushing the Atlas Lionesses’ hopes of winning a maiden continental title on home soil.
The final had all the ingredients of a classic: a host nation chasing history, and Africa’s most decorated women’s team hungry to reaffirm their supremacy.
Read more: Black Queens through to WAfCON semi-finals after penalty shootout thriller against Algeria
Morocco enjoyed a dream start. Captain Ghizlane Chebbak broke the deadlock in the 12th minute with a sublime strike from outside the box, curling the ball low past Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. The stadium erupted with hope and anticipation.
Twelve minutes later, the Atlas Lionesses doubled their advantage. A precise through ball from Ibtissam Jraidi found Sanaâ Mssoudy in space, and the forward finished calmly into the bottom right corner to give Morocco a commanding 2-0 lead.
Shell-shocked, Nigeria entered the break facing an uphill battle. But head coach Justin Madugu’s half-time team talk ignited a spirited resurgence from the defending champions.
The fightback began just after the hour mark. A VAR review awarded Nigeria a penalty for a handball by Nouhaila Benzina. Okoronkwo converted confidently to halve the deficit.
Momentum had shifted. In the 71st minute, Okoronkwo turned provider, threading a pass to Ijamilusi, who drilled a low left-footed shot into the net to level the match at 2-2.
With the match edging toward extra time, Nigeria struck again. A well-executed set-piece saw Okoronkwo deliver a clever assist to Echegini, who calmly slotted home in the 88th minute to complete the comeback.
Despite intense late pressure from Morocco, the Super Falcons held firm through a nervy final few minutes of stoppage time.
It was a heartbreaking finish for Jorge Vilda’s Morocco side, who had captivated fans throughout the tournament and were hoping to become only the fourth nation — after Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and South Africa — to win the WAFCON title.
But the night ultimately belonged to Nigeria. The Super Falcons’ experience, depth, and indomitable spirit proved decisive, sealing their 10th title in 13 editions of the tournament.
The triumph not only reinforced Nigeria’s unmatched legacy in African women’s football but also sent a powerful message: even amid rising competition, the Super Falcons remain the team to beat.
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