By Reliable Football | July 27, 2025
In the city of Rabat, beneath the blazing Moroccan lights and in front of a thunderous crowd of over 45,000 fans, history was rewritten—again. The Super Falcons of Nigeria, Africa’s most decorated women’s football team, delivered a performance dripping with pride, power, passion, and purpose to claim their record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title, defeating host nation Morocco 3-2 in a rollercoaster final that will echo through the halls of African football history for decades.
This was not just a win.
This was a resurrection.
A redemption.
A roaring statement from a team that refuses to fade, even when the odds seem overwhelming.
⚽ The Final: Morocco 2–3 Nigeria — A Night of Fire and Glory
Venue: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
Date: July 26, 2025
Attendance: 45,300 screaming fans
Referee: Lidya Tafesse (Ethiopia)
🥅 Scorers:
-
Morocco
- Ghizlane Chebbak (13’)
- Sanaâ Mssoudy (24’)
-
Nigeria
- Esther Okoronkwo (63’ – Pen)
- Folashade Ijamilusi (71’)
- Jennifer Echegini (88’)
💔 From Shock to Supremacy: A Match of Two Halves
When Morocco went two goals up inside the first 25 minutes, many fans across the continent — even some back home in Nigeria — feared the worst. Morocco, playing on home soil, were electric early on. Ghizlane Chebbak, the tournament’s leading scorer and captain of the Atlas Lionesses, opened with a trademark curling effort that left Nigerian keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie rooted.
Moments later, Sanaâ Mssoudy capitalized on a defensive lapse to send the stadium into raptures with a second.
2–0 down. On foreign soil. In front of a sold-out home crowd. With everything slipping away.
But champions aren’t crowned without scars. The Super Falcons weren’t finished. In fact, they were just waking up.
🔁 The Turning Point: Belief at the Break
Head Coach Justin Madugu didn’t scream in the locker room. He didn’t slam fists or point fingers. He reminded the women who they were:
“You are the Super Falcons. The queens of this continent. We are not going home without the crown.”
Those words were enough. A tactical reshuffle followed: Michelle Alozie was pushed forward. Christy Ucheibe dropped deeper to free up Echegini. Ajibade was told to drive directly into Morocco’s box.
It all clicked.
🔥 The Comeback: Pride, Pace, Perfection
At 63 minutes, VAR awarded Nigeria a penalty after Alozie was clipped trying to cut inside. The pressure was immense — the noise deafening. But Esther Okoronkwo was ice-cold. She smashed the penalty home. 2–1.
Eight minutes later, Folashade Ijamilusi made her mark, darting in between two defenders and calmly slotting the equalizer after a stunning Ajibade assist. 2–2. The tide had turned.
And then — the crowning moment.
With two minutes to go, Jennifer Echegini, who had run like a lioness all night, latched onto a loose ball at the edge of the area. One touch. A turn. A rocket into the net.
3–2.
From despair to destiny.
🇳🇬 More Than a Match – A National Celebration
The final whistle blew and the roar from the Nigerian bench was matched only by the screams of millions back home. Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano, Calabar — the country erupted. Cars honked, fans danced in the streets, fireworks cracked the sky.
This wasn’t just a trophy.
This was a return to glory.
This was “Mission X” completed — a long-term plan by the NFF and coaching staff to regain continental dominance and silence doubters.
🎖️ Player of the Match: Jennifer Echegini
With one goal and a constant presence in midfield, Echegini embodied the spirit of this Super Falcons team: determined, hungry, fearless.
Her movement, composure under pressure, and leadership stood tall even in Morocco’s loudest moments.
🌍 A Historic 10th Title
No women’s team in Africa — and few in the world — can boast the dominance Nigeria has sustained in this competition:
| Year | Champion |
|---|---|
| 1991 | Nigeria 🇳🇬 |
| 1995 | Nigeria 🇳🇬 |
| 1998 | Nigeria 🇳🇬 |
| 2000 | Nigeria 🇳🇬 |
| 2002 | Nigeria 🇳🇬 |
| 2006 | Nigeria 🇳🇬 |
| 2010 | Nigeria 🇳🇬 |
| 2014 | Nigeria 🇳🇬 |
| 2018 | Nigeria 🇳🇬 |
| 2025 | Nigeria 🇳🇬 |
This 10th title is not just a number. It’s a legacy.
👩🏽🎤 What the Heroes Said
Rasheedat Ajibade:
“We fight for the badge. For every girl back home who dreams of football. This is for them.”
Michelle Alozie:
“We were down, yes. But we were never out. Never.”
Coach Madugu:
“We came to Morocco with a mission. We leave with a message: Nigeria is still the home of queens.”
🧠 Tactical Brilliance: How Nigeria Beat Morocco
🔄 Adjustments at Half-Time:
- Switched from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1, allowing Ajibade to roam more centrally.
- Allowed Ijamilusi and Alozie to press higher and attack Morocco’s full-backs.
- Focused on second balls and defensive transitions after Morocco’s fatigue began to show.
⚙️ Bench Impact:
- Nigeria’s substitutions were timely and effective.
- Morocco’s depth failed them in the second half — their midfield was overrun.
📊 Match Stats at a Glance
| Stat | Nigeria | Morocco |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 52% | 48% |
| Total Shots | 14 | 9 |
| Shots on Target | 7 | 4 |
| Corners | 6 | 3 |
| Fouls Committed | 10 | 13 |
| Yellow Cards | 1 | 2 |
| Saves | 2 | 4 |
🥇 WAFCON 2025 Awards
- Golden Boot: Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco) – 6 goals
- Golden Ball: Rasheedat Ajibade (Nigeria)
- Best Goalkeeper: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria)
- Fair Play Award: Zambia
- 📣 The Legacy Continues
With the Olympic Games Paris 2026 just around the corner and the next WAFCON scheduled for 2027, Nigeria now shifts focus to global dominance.
But for now, they rest — not as underdogs or challengers, but as queens of Africa.
🗣 Final Word from Reliable Football
We’ve followed every pass, every tackle, every goal. From the opening day to this glorious night in Rabat, the Super Falcons have inspired us. They’ve reminded us what it means to be Nigerian — bold, brilliant, unbreakable.
So let the world know…
The Super Falcons are BACK.
Champions of Africa. Again.
Mission X: Accomplished.
🇳🇬💚 Leave a comment to celebrate below:
- Who was your Player of the Tournament?
- Which goal was your favorite?
- Where were you when the final whistle blew?
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