Photo credit: Al-Jazeera

Eniola Olagunju

Nigeria’s Super Falcons emerged champions of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after defeating host Morocco 3–2 in a dramatic final held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Friday night, July 26, 2025.

The match began as a nightmare for Nigeria, as the hosts surged ahead with two goals in the first 25 minutes. Morocco’s captain, Ghizlane Chebbak, opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a well-placed shot, before Sanaâ Mssoudy doubled the lead in the 24th, capitalizing on a defensive lapse.

With this, the Nigerian side forged in fire. Known for their legacy, the Super Falcons refused to let history slip through their fingers. They rallied back in the second half with renewed urgency and tactical discipline.

Esther Okoronkwo started the revival in the 64th minute, as she scored a penalty that shifted the momentum. Barely seven minutes later, she assisted a goal that Folashade Ijamilusi scored with a bullet header that levelled the game.

Morocco rattled and the crowd stunned into nervous silence, the moment of glory came in the 88th minute. Substitute Jennifer Echegini, latched onto a loose ball at the edge of the box and fired in a powerful strike that sealed the win, and with that, Nigeria made a place in African football history.

This victory marks Nigeria’s 10th WAFCON title, extending their reign as the most successful women’s football team on the continent. It is also a moment of redemption, coming three years after the Falcons were controversially knocked out by Morocco in the semi-finals of the 2022 edition.