Nigeria shock everybody as dem come back strong for second half beat Morocco 3-2 to win their record-breaking 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.
Morocco bin dey lead 2-0 for first half for Rabat after Ghizlane Chebbak bend one sweet shot enter net, and Sanaa Mssoudy manage squeeze another goal.
But after the break, na Esther Okoronkwo wey change the game. She score one penalty for 64th minute after Nouhaila Benzina use hand touch Folamide Ijamilusi cross.
Just seven minutes later, Okoronkwo run enter Morocco box, pass the ball give Ijamilusi wey slot am in – 2-2.
Then, with just two minutes left, Okoronkwo serve one sharp assist for Jennifer Echegini wey come from bench – and she no waste am.
Olympic Stadium wey fit carry 21,000 people quiet like graveyard as Super Falcons collapse for ground dey celebrate the final whistle. Na comeback wey go dey memory for long.
Nigeria name their campaign “Mission X” and dem don complete am. Dem don collect back the WAFCON title wey dem last win for 2018 and still keep their 100% win record for WAFCON finals.
Morocco bin hire 2023 Women’s World Cup winning coach Jorge Vilda after him waka from Spain, all to chase their first African title – but now na back-to-back final loss be their portion.
Super Falcons go chop $1m prize money – double wetin dem win last time – and dem be the first team to lift this new WAFCON trophy.
But before FIFA president Gianni Infantino and CAF boss Patrice Motsepe even reach stage to do presentation, stadium don already almost empty.
This 2024 WAFCON suppose happen last year but dem shift am because of plenty schedule wahala, like Nigeria and Zambia dey go Paris 2024 Olympics.
Mission X Don Complete
Folashade Ijamilusi score the equalizer goal for 71st minute wey make Nigeria bounce back.
Nigeria no hide mouth say dem wan carry their 10th WAFCON. Players even dey asked about the target every time for interview.
Super Falcons really prove themselves for Morocco this month. Coach Justin Madugu find the correct blend for knockout stage.
But even as Africa number one ranked team, Nigeria start the final poor. Dem no match Morocco energy for first half.
Morocco score early for 13th minute as Halimatu Ayinde dash Chebbak the ball, and she shoot am just inside left post. Then 11 minutes later, Mssoudy double the lead with one across shot.
Na VAR give Nigeria hope again. Okoronkwo no shake as she slot in the penalty – 2-1. Later, she break the defense again, pause, then pass perfect ball for Ijamilusi to equalize.
Another drama happen for 79th minute as Morocco get penalty after Imane Saoud cross touch Blessing Demehin hand – even though she stand just two yards away.
Chebbak hold ball dey ready shoot, but referee Antsino Twanyanyukwa check VAR, change her mind, and cancel the penalty after four minutes.
Nigeria complete the comeback when Okoronkwo deliver one correct free kick and Echegini run beat Benzina, slot am from six yards.
Na the third time Nigeria go beat host nation for WAFCON final after dem win South Africa (2000) and Cameroon (2016).
Morocco Settle for Second Again
Chebbak open scoring with one wicked goal wey shock Nigeria early on.
Morocco don invest serious money into both men and women football, with support from King Mohammed VI. But still, trophy never land.
Dem lose the 2022 WAFCON final to South Africa. After World Cup wahala wey make Vilda leave Spain (na that kiss scandal), Morocco bring am in to chase glory.
The 44-year-old don add style to their play, but to reach final, Morocco struggle come back from behind three times and even need penalties beat Ghana for semi-final.
Now, dem go try rebuild as dem go host the next WAFCON for March 2026.
Chebbak bin wan follow her papa Larbi footsteps – the man wey win AFCON for Morocco 1976 – but she go hold golden boot instead, after scoring five goals.
She go don be 36 when next WAFCON go happen, so to make that family history go hard small now.