Nigeria have once again etched their name in the history books, securing a record-extending tenth Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title with a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over hosts Morocco in Rabat.
In a pulsating final that showcased the very best of African women’s football, the Super Falcons overturned a 2-0 half-time deficit to clinch the trophy, reaffirming their long-standing dominance on the continent.
Morocco, buoyed by home support and a confident first-half performance, looked destined for glory after captain Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaa Mssoudy found the net. But Nigeria, driven by resilience and experience, responded with intensity. Esther Okoronkwo led the charge, pulling one back before a leveller set up a tense finale. With just two minutes remaining, Jennifer Echegini scored the decisive goal, completing a comeback that will be remembered for years to come.
“This is what champions do,” said Player of the Match Okoronkwo after the game. “We knew we had to dig deep. At half-time, we reminded ourselves of who we are. It was all or nothing.”
The final marked only the second time Morocco had reached this stage of the competition. They were also beaten in the 2022 final, losing 2-1 to South Africa. While heartbreak struck again, the Atlas Lionesses cemented their status as one of the continent’s rising forces, with Chebbak finishing as the tournament’s top scorer for a second consecutive edition. Her five-goal tally led the charts, edging out Senegal’s Nguenar Ndiaye, who netted four.
Despite the defeat, Morocco’s attacking credentials stood out. Ibtissam Jraidi, who scored her country’s first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup goal in 2023, contributed three more in this tournament. Yet, it was Nigeria’s defensive resolve that carried them through the early rounds. Prior to the final, the Super Falcons had conceded just once, against South Africa in the semi-finals, thanks in no small part to standout goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who was later named Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
The 2025 edition, originally scheduled for the previous year but postponed due to the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in Paris, delivered on every front. Hosted in Morocco for a second successive time, it offered a vibrant platform for emerging talents and established stars alike. Nigeria’s victory means they have now won ten of the 13 WAFCON editions, with only South Africa and Equatorial Guinea interrupting their supremacy.
As the dust settles on another memorable tournament, attention turns to the 2026 edition, also to be held in Morocco, which will serve as a qualifier for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027. For Nigeria, the challenge remains the same: stay on top. For the rest of Africa, the mission is clear—dethrone the queens.
