Sports

Nigeria’s Super Falcons Win 10th WAFCON

By admin
July 28, 2025

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have once again stamped their authority on the continent, claiming a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Morocco in the final played at the Stade Olympique, Rabat.

Trailing 2-0 at halftime, the Falcons displayed remarkable resilience and fighting spirit, mounting a stunning second-half comeback to silence the home crowd and secure the trophy in what is now being celebrated as one of the greatest WAFCON finals in history.

Morocco had taken an early lead with goals from Ghizlane Chebbak and Fatima Tagnaout’s effort deflected in by a Nigerian defender, but the Nigerian side roared back in the second half. Esther Okoronkwo converted a penalty in the 62nd minute to begin the turnaround, followed by a powerful strike from Folashade Ijamilusi nine minutes later to draw level. The winner came in the 88th minute through substitute Jennifer Echegini, whose composed finish sealed Nigeria’s historic win.

Road to Glory

Nigeria began their WAFCON 2025 campaign strongly, topping Group B unbeaten. They swept past Tunisia, drew with Algeria, and defeated Botswana. The quarterfinals saw the Falcons dismantle Zambia 5-0, before a tightly contested semifinal saw them edge defending champions South Africa 2-1 with goals from Rasheedat Ajibade and Michelle Alozie.

This victory capped off a tournament campaign in which Nigeria scored 16 goals and conceded just five.

Coach Madugu Hailed

Head Coach Justine Madugu, who had come under early criticism following mixed performances in the group stage, was praised for his tactical boldness and trust in young players. He dubbed the campaign “Mission X” – a reference to Nigeria’s quest for their 10th continental crown – and has now firmly written his name in Nigerian football history.

National Honors and Reward

Following the victory, the Federal Government of Nigeria announced a reward package of ₦100 million for the squad, with each player receiving ₦5 million. In addition, real estate developers gifted apartments to all 23 players, while telecoms giant MTN pledged ₦150 million in cash bonuses.

Coach Madugu was also conferred a chieftaincy title in his native Adamawa State for leading the team to glory.

Legacy & Future

Nigeria’s 10th WAFCON title underscores their dominance in African women’s football, having now won 10 of the 13 editions of the competition. The victory also fuels calls for increased investment in women’s football infrastructure, grassroots development, and better support for female athletes across the continent.

As the dust settles in Rabat, one thing is clear – the Super Falcons remain queens of African football, and their reign shows no signs of ending soon.