The Super Falcons of Nigeria have once again etched their names in history, clinching their record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in a breathtaking 3-2 comeback victory against hosts Morocco in the final. The thrilling encounter, held at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, saw Nigeria demonstrate remarkable resilience, overturning a two-goal deficit to secure their unprecedented triumph.

The final match was a dramatic affair. Morocco started strongly, with Ghiziane Chebbak scoring in the 13th minute, followed by Sanaa Mssoudy doubling their lead in the 24th minute, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. The Super Falcons went into halftime trailing 2-0. However, the second half saw a strategic shift by head coach Justin Madugu, who introduced Rinsola Babajide and Jennifer Echegini to inject speed into the attack. The turnaround began in the 64th minute when Esther Okoronkwo converted a penalty, pulling one back for Nigeria. Okoronkwo proved instrumental, assisting Folashade Ijamilusi for the equalizer in the 71st minute. With the momentum firmly shifted, five-time CAF Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala was brought on. The decisive moment arrived in the 88th minute when Okoronkwo again found Jennifer Echegini, who scored the match-winning goal, sealing Nigeria’s 10th WAFCON triumph, aptly dubbed "Mission X."

The victory sparked nationwide celebrations and drew commendations from prominent figures. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in a social media post, congratulated the Super Falcons, stating, "This win is a reminder of what can happen when talent, discipline, and belief come together... You’ve shown the world the strength and spirit of Nigerian football, and I celebrate you wholeheartedly." Similarly, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu praised the team's resilience, highlighting their role as "ambassadors of Nigerian excellence, inspiring millions across the world." She emphasized, "It is not just another trophy; it is a testament to your hard work, consistency, and the indomitable Nigerian spirit."

The win also had broader implications for Nigerian football. Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau expressed confidence that the Super Falcons’ success would "fuel the men’s national team as they fight to resurrect their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign." Gusau lauded the team’s "resilience, doggedness, patriotism, and the blatant display of the well-known Nigerian spirit," hoping this victory would trigger a mindset shift for the Super Eagles as they prepare for crucial World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa in September.

Amidst the euphoria, defender Michelle Alozie provided a memorable moment, playfully trolling Moroccan fans who had used laser lights to distract Nigerian players during the tense final. Alozie posted a video celebrating with Esther Okoronkwo, captioned cheekily, “Their lasers didn’t work,” perfectly capturing the team’s unshakable composure. Legendary striker Asisat Oshoala also took to social media to credit teammates Oluwatosin Demehin and Deborah Abiodun, stating, "Can’t tell my Mission X story without these two," underscoring their profound influence on her WAFCON journey.

Despite this continental glory and an unbeaten run, the Super Falcons' global standing in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings remains a point of contention. Football analyst Joba challenged FIFA to revamp its ranking system, expressing frustration that Nigeria, Africa’s top-ranked team, remains 36th globally. He questioned, "I don’t think there are 35 teams in the world that are better than the @NGSuper_Falcons." Critics argue that the current Elo rating system, while emphasizing recent performance, does not adequately reward breakthrough achievements or regional dominance, suggesting a need for more dynamic metrics to reflect the evolving landscape of women’s football. As Nigeria celebrates its "Mission X" success, the debate over a fairer ranking system continues, with the next FIFA ranking release eagerly awaited in early August 2025.