Nigeria’s Super Falcons etched another golden chapter in their illustrious history, producing a thrilling second-half comeback to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final of the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Saturday night in Rabat.
Trailing 2-0 at halftime inside the roaring Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah, the Falcons showed grit, character, and class to overturn the deficit with goals from Esther Okoronkwo, Folashade Ijamilusi, and Joe Echegini—clinching their 10th WAFCON title, the most by any nation in African women’s football history.
The host nation got off to a dream start. Just 12 minutes into the match, Moroccan captain Ghizlane Chebbak curled a sublime shot past Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, sending the home fans into wild celebrations.
Their momentum surged in the 24th minute when Sanaâ Mssoudy found the back of the net after a clinical pass from Ibtissam Jraidi, putting Morocco 2-0 up and seemingly on course for their first continental crown.
However, the second half belonged entirely to Nigeria.
A pivotal moment came in the 63rd minute after a VAR check awarded Nigeria a penalty for handball. Esther Okoronkwo calmly converted to cut the deficit to 2-1, igniting hope for the defending giants.
Eight minutes later, Okoronkwo turned provider, slipping a precise through ball to Folashade Ijamilusi, who finished with composure to make it 2-2.
The decisive blow came in the 88th minute. Off a well-executed set piece, Okoronkwo once again delivered a clever pass, this time to Joe Echegini, who sealed the comeback with a tidy finish—completing a dramatic turnaround that stunned the Moroccan faithful.
Despite Morocco’s late push and near-misses in stoppage time, Nigeria held firm. The victory marked a triumphant return to the summit of African football for the Super Falcons, reaffirming their dominance and resilience.
With this win, Nigeria becomes a 10-time WAFCON champion, having previously won the tournament in 1991, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018.
While the Atlas Lionesses fell just short of their dream, their performance throughout the tournament earned them continental respect and admiration.
Quote from CAF:
“The Super Falcons’ experience, composure and quality once again shone through on the biggest stage,” noted CAF in their official report. “Their relentless pursuit of excellence continues to inspire generations of African footballers.”
📌 Source: CAF Online – Official Match Report
