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Super Falcons Reign Supreme! Nigeria Claims Historic 10th WAFCON Title in 'Mission X' Triumph

Published 6 days ago4 minute read
Uche Emeka
Uche Emeka
Super Falcons Reign Supreme! Nigeria Claims Historic 10th WAFCON Title in 'Mission X' Triumph

The Super Falcons of Nigeria achieved a historic milestone by clinching their record-extending 10th Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title, successfully completing what was dubbed "Mission X." This monumental victory came after a thrilling 3-2 comeback against host nation Morocco in the final, a testament to the team's unwavering resolve and indomitable Nigerian spirit. The final match was played at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, where Nigeria showcased exceptional resilience to overcome an early deficit.

The final was a tense affair, with Morocco taking an early lead. Ghiziane Chebbak opened the scoring for the hosts in the 13th minute, followed by Sanaa Mssoudy who doubled Morocco's advantage in the 24th minute, sending them into halftime with a two-goal cushion. However, the Super Falcons, under the guidance of head coach Justin Madugu, initiated a dramatic second-half resurgence. Strategic substitutions, including Rinsola Babajide and Jennifer Echegini, injected crucial speed into the attack. The comeback began in the 64th minute when Esther Okoronkwo confidently converted a penalty to pull one goal back for Nigeria.

The equalizer arrived swiftly in the 71st minute, with Esther Okoronkwo once again playing a pivotal role by assisting Folashade Ijamilusi. The momentum firmly shifted, and with Five-time CAF Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala introduced to close out the game, Nigeria pressed for the winner. Okoronkwo proved to be the decisive figure, providing her second assist of the match to Jennifer Echegini, who scored the match-winning goal in the 88th minute. The Super Falcons then held on to seal the victory and reclaim their status as African champions.

Beyond the scoresheet, individual players demonstrated remarkable character. Defender Michelle Alozie, in a witty post-match celebration, took to Snapchat to mock Moroccan fans who had used laser lights, particularly targeting Esther Okoronkwo's eyes, with the cheeky caption: "Their lasers didn’t work." This perfectly encapsulated the team's focus despite hostile conditions. Legendary striker Asisat Oshoala also credited teammates Oluwatosin Demehin and Deborah Abiodun for their important roles in her WAFCON journey, highlighting the collective effort behind the triumph.

The Super Falcons' historic win was met with widespread national celebration and commendation from Nigeria's top officials. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu congratulated the team, stating, "This win is a reminder of what can happen when talent, discipline, and belief come together," and hailed their "flawless 10 out of 10 performance." Similarly, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu praised the team's resilience, hard work, consistency, and the "indomitable Nigerian spirit," recognizing them as "ambassadors of Nigerian excellence" and "Queens of African football" who have lifted the nation's pride.

The Super Falcons' victory is expected to have far-reaching implications for Nigerian football. Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau expressed confidence that the win would significantly fuel the Super Eagles' 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. Gusau hailed the Falcons' performance as "extraordinary" and symbolic of the "Nigerian spirit," hoping their comeback example would trigger a mindset shift among the men's national team, who are currently outside qualification spots. The Super Eagles are set to resume their campaign with crucial matches against Rwanda and South Africa in September.

Amidst the celebrations, the victory also reignited a debate surrounding FIFA's women's national team ranking system. Football analyst and Pulse Sports Nigeria’s managing editor, Joba, openly challenged FIFA to revamp its methodology, arguing that despite their dominant performance, 10th WAFCON title, and unbeaten run, Nigeria remains ranked 36th globally (though top in Africa). Joba contended that there are not 35 teams better than the Super Falcons, criticizing the Elo rating system's slow pace in capturing emerging power shifts and adequately rewarding breakthrough performances or regional dominance in women's football.

As Nigeria basks in the glow of this "Mission X" success, the Super Falcons' 10th WAFCON title stands as a powerful testament to their skill, unwavering determination, and the enduring strength of Nigerian football. The victory not only cemented their legacy as African champions but also sparked crucial conversations about fair recognition in global rankings and provided a significant boost of inspiration for other national teams, solidifying their place as icons who have written their names in gold.

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