The Super Falcons of Nigeria gave a performance of their lives to create a piece of history as the Nigeria female football national team came back from two goals down to lift the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco
The match which took place at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat had the Super Falcons of Nigeria who are Africa’s most decorated women’s team facing the host nation Morocco, who were hoping to the trophy for the first time after losing the last edition to South Africa.
While the Super Falcons were out to reclaim the trophy they lost last time out, they were also out to avenge their semi-final loss to Morocco during the last edition but more importantly, they were hoping to win the trophy for the 10th time.
For the Morrocans, they were hoping to be second time lucky as they were out to win the trophy for the first time after coming very close to doing so during the 2022 edition which was also hosted by the North African country.
Morocco took charge of the first half as a long-range strike by dazzling captain Ghizlane Chebbak in the 13th minute, stunned the Super Falcons and sent the home crowd into ecstacy.
The score board changed for the second time and it was the Moroccans who extended their lead as Sanaâ Mssoudy scored a second goal 11 minutes after the first to hand Morocco held a commanding 2–0 lead and send the home crowd into dream land.
However, despite looking dead and buried in the first half, the Super Falcons Nigeria resurrected in the the second half and spoiled the party for the host nation who were looking more like the new champions as time flew by.
In the 64th minute of the match, Esther Okoronkwo showed her class as he calmly converted a penalty kick to cut the deficit into half. Seven minutes later, she delivered a exquisite assist to set-up Folashade Ijamilusi who drew the game in the 71st minute.
Substitute, Jennifer Echegini completed the comeback as she volleyed home a right-footed strike from a free-kick sent in by Okoronkwo in the 88th minute to silent the Rabat crowd and give life to the Nigerian voices which celebrated inside the stadium.
With a 3–2 victory in favour of Nigeria, the Super Falcons not only sealed their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in the most dramatic fashion but added more honours to their legacy as they never lost any match during the entire tournament.
Mission X has been accomplished by the Super Falcons under the tutelage of coach Justine Madugu as the Nigerian ladies reassert themselves as the best team in the continent and a major powerhouse in the world.
