STADE OLYMPIQUE, Rabat, July 26 — Nigeria rallied from two goals down to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in a dramatic Total Energies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final on Saturday.
The win cemented their dominance in African women’s football with a 10th title since its inception.
Morocco’s captain Ghizlane Chebbak opened the scoreline in the 12th minute past Falcon goalie Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Prolific winger Sanaa Mssoudy doubled it in the 24th minute, giving the home side a dream start at Stade Olympique in Rabat.
The Atlas Lionesses looked poised to pull off a historic upset and become only the fourth nation to claim the continental crown, alongside Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and South Africa.
But the Super Falcons, led by a spirited second-half performance, turned the game on its head.
In the 64th minute, Falcon’s dependable striker Esther Okoronkwo converted a neat penalty past Lioness’s custodian Khadija Er-Rmichi to pull one back.
The indefatigable Nigerians restored parity on the 71st through winger Folashade Ijamilusi.
Super substitute Jennifer Echegini netted the decisive goal in the 88th minute, silencing the home crowd.
Path to Greatness
In the Wafcons Group Stages, the Falcons showed their intent of winning the coveted silverware by drubbing Tunisia (3-0), and Botswana (1-0), and drawing with Algeria (0-0).
They walloped Zambia 5-0 and humbled Banyana Banyana 2-1 in the semi-finals before booking a berth in the finals.
With the win, the Nigerian’s coached by Justine Madugu not only extended their record haul of Wafcon titles, but also became the first team to lift the redesigned trophy.
They also walked away with $1 million in prize money, double the amount awarded in the previous edition.
Elsewhere, Friday’s third-place match saw Ghana edge out defending champions South Africa 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Casablanca.
Nonhlanhla Mthandi had given Banyana Banyana the lead with a long-range effort, but a 68th-minute own goal off South Africa’s Alice Kusi brought the Black Queens level.
Ghana goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan played a crucial role in the shootout, saving two spot-kicks to secure her country’s first podium finish since 2016.
