TheSuper Falcons of Nigeria have etched their name deeper into football history, clinching a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title. This monumental achievement, dubbed “Mission X,” came after a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory against host nation Morocco in a tense final held at the Stade Olympique in Rabat.

The final match was a dramatic spectacle. Morocco took an early lead with Ghiziane Chebbakscoring in the 13th minute, followed by Sanaa Mssoudy adding a second goal 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 remarkable turnaround. Head coach Justin Madugu introduced Rinsola Babajide and Jennifer Echegini, injecting much-needed speed into the attack.

Esther Okoronkwo initiated the comeback by converting a penalty in the 64th minute. She then provided a crucial assist for Folashade Ijamilusi to score the equalizer in the 71st minute. The decisive goal came in the 88th minute when Okoronkwo once again set up Jennifer Echegini, who sealed the 3-2 victory for Nigeria. Legendary striker Asisat Oshoalawas also brought on late in the game, and later credited teammates Oluwatosin Demehin and Deborah Abiodun for their significant roles in her WAFCON journey.

Photo Credit: Punch Newspapers

The victory sparked widespread celebrations and reactions from prominent Nigerian figures. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu swiftly congratulated the Super Falcons, noting their win as a reminder of what happens “when talent, discipline, and belief come together.” He lauded their “flawless 10 out of 10 performance,” expressing immense pride. Similarly, First Lady SenatorOluremi Tinubuextended heartfelt congratulations, praising the team’s resilience and highlighting them as “ambassadors of Nigerian excellence” and a testament to the “indomitable Nigerian spirit.”

The impact of the Super Falcons’ triumph resonated beyond the immediate celebration. Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau expressed confidence that this WAFCON win would ignite the Super Eagles’ ambition for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. Gusau hailed the victory as symbolic of the Nigerian spirit, stating, “Our girls rose from the ‘dead,’ as they say, and fought to victory.” He emphasized that the Falcons’ example could trigger a crucial mindset shift for the men’s national team as they prepare for critical World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda on September 6 and South Africa on September 9.

Adding a touch of humor and defiance to the celebration, Super Falcons defender Michelle Alozie took to Snapchat post-match to playfully mock Moroccan fans. During the final, Moroccan supporters had controversially shone laser lights onto Nigerian players, particularly targeting Esther Okoronkwo’s eyes. Alozie, celebrating with Okoronkwo, captioned her video with the witty remark: “Their lasers didn’t work,” perfectly capturing the team’s resilience and focus despite the hostile atmosphere.

Photo Credit: The Eagle Online

Despite their dominant performance and continental glory, the Super Falcons' victory has reignited debates surrounding FIFA’s women’s national team ranking system. Football analyst Joba, managing editor of Pulse Sports Nigeria, challenged FIFA to revamp its system, questioning Nigeria’s unchanged 36th global ranking despite being Africa’s top team and undefeated WAFCON champions.

Critics argue that the current Elo rating method, which weights recent performance and international results, is too slow to reflect breakthrough performances and emerging power shifts in women’s football. As Nigeria basks in the success of Mission X, calls for more dynamic metrics to better recognize the achievements of rising powers like the Super Falcons continue ahead of the next FIFA ranking release.