Nigeria Falcons Stage Stunning Comeback to Win African Title

Nigeria mounted a stunning comeback from two goals down to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 and claim their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title on Saturday — extending their record as the continent’s most successful women’s team.

The thrilling final at Rabat’s Stade Olympique saw Esther Okoronkwo and Folashade Ijamilusi spark the turnaround, before substitute Jennifer Echegini sealed the victory with an 88th-minute winner.

Morocco had taken a surprise 2-0 lead within the opening 30 minutes, igniting hopes of becoming only the fourth nation to lift the continental trophy after Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and South Africa. Captain Ghizlane Chebbak opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a powerful strike from the edge of the area, capitalizing on Nigeria’s failure to clear their lines. Sanaa Mssoudy added the second 12 minutes later, finishing coolly after a collision between Moroccan forward Ibtissam Jraidi and Nigerian defender Marvis Ohale left the ball loose in the box. Despite Nigerian protests, the goal stood.

But the Super Falcons responded with determination, dominating possession and forcing multiple set pieces. Their breakthrough came in the 64th minute after a VAR review awarded a penalty for a handball by Nouhaila Benzina. Okoronkwo calmly converted to halve the deficit.

Just seven minutes later, Okoronkwo surged past the Moroccan defense and unselfishly laid the ball off for Ijamilusi to tap in the equalizer.

With 10 minutes remaining, Morocco were briefly awarded a penalty following another handball incident, but the decision was overturned after video review. Nigeria capitalized on the reprieve. In the 88th minute, Echegini latched onto a loose ball in the box and slotted home the winner, silencing the home crowd and capping a dramatic fightback.

With the victory, Nigeria have now won 10 of the 13 editions of the tournament, reclaiming the crown from South Africa, who won in 2022.