From two goals down in the first half, Nigeria’s Super Falcons produced an incredible comeback to clinch a famous 3-2 win against hosts Morocco in the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) played at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat on Saturday night.
The win sealed a record-extending 10th WAFCON title for the continent’s most successful female national team.
The Atlas Lionesses stormed to a two-goal lead with goals from Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaa Mssoudy in the 12th and 24 minutes respectively. But three goals inside 22 minutes of the second half were enough to seal a remarkable victory for the brave Super Falcons.
The comeback began in the 64th minute when Esther Okoronkwo, who has been the best player of the tournament, converted from the penalty spot after Nouhaila Benzina was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box.
In the 71st minute, Folamide Ijamilusi levelled the tie with a brilliant goal from Okoronkwo’s pass.
Substitute Jennifer Echegini completed the miracle of Rabat when she scored the winner in the 88th-minute, Okoronkwo again was the provider.
At the final whistle, the 21,000-capacity Olympic Stadium was stunned into silence as the Super Falcons players celebrated a famous win that further cements their status as Africa’s best.
It was the second time the Atlas Lionesses would be runners-up in the WAFCON tournament. But for the Super Falcons, it was Mission X accomplished. As winners, they will get $1m cash prize and the new WAFCON trophy.
In the end, the Super Falcons came, they saw, and they conquered in Morocco.
