Super Falcons Make History! Nigeria Clinches 10th WAFCON Title
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The Nigerian Super Falcons etched their name in history by clinching a record-extending 10th Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title. This monumental achievement came after a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory against host nation Morocco in the final, held at the Stade Olympique in Rabat. The Super Falcons, celebrating their 'Mission X' triumph, initially found themselves trailing 2-0 in the first half, with Ghiziane Chebbak opening the scoring in the 13th minute, followed by Sanaa Mssoudy's goal in the 24th minute for Morocco.
However, Nigeria mounted a dramatic second-half resurgence under the guidance of head coach Justin Madugu. Tactical changes, including the introduction of Rinsola Babajide and Jennifer Echegini, injected speed into the attack. Esther Okoronkwo proved pivotal, converting a penalty in the 64th minute to pull one back for Nigeria and then assisting Folashade Ijamilusi for the equalizer in the 71st minute. Okoronkwo once again set up Jennifer Echegini in the 88th minute for the match-winning goal, sealing the remarkable comeback.
The victory ignited widespread celebrations across Nigeria. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu expressed his heartfelt congratulations, describing the win as a reminder of the power unleashed "when talent, discipline, and belief come together" and a "flawless 10 out of 10 performance." First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu also lauded the team's resilience, stating that the victory was not just another trophy but "a testament to your hard work, consistency, and the indomitable Nigerian spirit." She emphasized that the Super Falcons had once again "lifted the pride of our dear nation, Nigeria and cemented your place as Queens of African football." In recognition of their historic achievement, the players were bestowed with national honors, including the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), along with cash rewards and three-bedroom houses from the Federal Government. The joyous occasion also saw light-hearted moments, such as the fathers of key players Ashleigh Plumptre and Omorinsola Babajide sharing a proud exchange.
The Super Falcons' triumph also carried broader implications for Nigerian football. Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau expressed confidence that the WAFCON win would fuel the Super Eagles' ambition for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. Gusau hailed the Falcons' "resilience, doggedness, patriotism, and the blatant display of the well-known Nigerian spirit," hoping their example would inspire a mindset shift for the men's national team ahead of their crucial qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa in September.
Despite their dominant performance and continental glory, Nigeria's global standing in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings sparked a debate. Football analyst Joba publicly challenged FIFA to "find a new way to calculate the women’s football ranking," asserting that "there are no 35 teams in the world that are better than the Super Falcons." Nigeria remains Africa’s top-ranked team, but critics argue that their 36th global position fails to accurately reflect their current strength, especially after an unbeaten WAFCON run. This discussion highlights a broader call for FIFA to adopt more dynamic metrics to better capture emerging power shifts in women's football, with the next ranking release anticipated in early August 2025.
Individual contributions were critical to the team's success. Defender Michelle Alozie gained attention for a witty post-match troll aimed at Moroccan supporters, sharing a video with Esther Okoronkwo and the caption "Their lasers didn’t work," referencing the controversial laser lights shone on Nigerian players during the final. Legendary striker Asisat Oshoala, a key figure in the Super Falcons squad who earned her 10th WAFCON title, acknowledged the important roles played by teammates Oluwatosin Demehin and Deborah Abiodun in her journey. Oshoala also subtly addressed rumors of her retirement, affirming her commitment to the national team by posting a workout video with the defiant caption, "Your noise don’t pay my bills… my sweat does."
The final was a tactical masterclass, particularly in the second half. Nigeria's interim head coach Justin Madugu, a seasoned WAFCON winner as an assistant, orchestrated the turnaround, pressing harder and effectively controlling the midfield, countering the initial strategy of Morocco's coach Jorge Vilda. This victory is not merely a triumph for the current squad but also a significant legacy moment for Nigerian women's football. There are ongoing calls to immortalize the pioneering women who, from Nigeria's first national team in 1991, shattered barriers and paved the way for 'La Decima,' the Super Falcons' tenth African title.
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