In what will go down as one of the most dramatic WAFCON finals in recent memory, the Super Falcons of Nigeria clawed their way back from a two-goal halftime deficit to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in Rabat on Friday night.
The unprecedented win means the Super Falcons have clinched their record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title.
It was a game that had everything: goals, grit, VAR drama, and a spirited comeback that underlined Nigeria’s dominance and resilience on the African football stage.
The home crowd at the Olympic Stadium, Rabat, erupted early as Morocco raced to a stunning 2-0 lead in the first half.
Ghizlane Chebbak opened the scoring in the 13th minute, capitalizing on some sloppy defending. Just 11 minutes later, Sanaâ Mssoudy doubled the lead, sending the Moroccan fans into raptures and leaving the Nigerian bench stunned.
But whatever head coach Justin Madugu told his players at halftime clearly worked. The second half saw a completely different Super Falcons, hungry, aggressive, and unrelenting.
In the 64th minute, Esther Okoronkwo converted a coolly taken penalty to bring Nigeria back into the contest at 2-1. Just seven minutes later, Folashade Florence Ijamilusi found the net with a powerful strike, leveling the score at 2-2 and swinging momentum in Nigeria’s favour.
Morocco thought they had a lifeline in the 84th minute when the referee pointed to the spot for a potential penalty. But after a tense VAR review, the decision was reversed, and Nigeria breathed a sigh of relief.
With the clock ticking down and the match poised for extra time, substitute Jennifer Echegini stepped up in the 88th minute with an inch-perfect finish that gave Nigeria the lead for the first time on the night, and ultimately secured the trophy.
Despite six nerve-wracking minutes of added time, the Falcons held on, defending with every ounce of strength left in them. The final whistle triggered scenes of jubilation from the Nigerian contingent, both on the pitch and in the stands.
The post Super Falcons Of Nigeria Survive Morocco First-Half Scare, Win 10th WAFCON Title appeared first on Naija News.