Nigeria comes from behind to beat Morocco 2-3 in the WAFCON final
Living up to their role as favourites, the Nigerian team, also known as the ‘Super Falcons’, came back in a memorable final half hour of the match, which PSG striker Jennifer Onyi Echegini capped off in the 88th minute, scoring her only goal of the tournament. With this victory, the Nigerian team wins its tenth championship and maintains its unbeaten streak in finals: 10 out of 10.
However, the Atlas Lionesses started the match with determination and on the front foot. The Moroccan team, playing at home, took the lead in the 13th minute with a goal from Ghizlane Chebbak, who would go on to win the tournament's Golden Boot, and capped off an epic first half with a second goal in the 24th minute from Sanaa Mssoudy. The score remained unchanged at half-time. The break slowed down the Moroccans' pace and allowed the most successful team in the tournament to close the gap from the penalty spot in the 64th minute, equalising in the 77th minute until, with two minutes to go in regulation time, the PSG striker silenced the Olympic Stadium in Rabat with a well-worked goal.
The match had everything: incredible goals, a comeback for the history books and a refereeing performance that did not go down well with the home side, as with the score at 2-2, VAR ruled out a dubious penalty for handball by the home team in the 82nd minute that could have changed the course of the match. Moroccan coach Jorge Vilda referred to this decision in his post-match press conference as ‘a small detail that cost them the game.’ These were surprising comments given the Spanish coach's usual neutrality when it comes to refereeing decisions, whether they go his way or, as in this case, against him.
Vilda congratulated the Nigerian players on their victory and explained that his team's physical collapse after a first half he described as perfect was what made the Nigerian comeback possible.
On the Nigerian side, coach Justine Madugu pointed out that the strength shown by the Moroccan team in the first half meant that he had to completely change his tactical approach at half-time. He added that the key to victory lay with the players who came off the bench and concluded by congratulating Vilda and the Atlas Lionesses, whom he predicted a ‘promising future’. Finally, Madugu reflected on the considerable increase in the level of African women's teams.
Once the cup presentation ceremony was over, the individual awards went to the Nigerian players, who took home the prize for best player of the tournament (Rasheedat Ajibade); best player of the final (Esther Okoronkwo); best goalkeeper of the tournament (Chiamaka Nnadozie); and best coach (Justine Pwanidi Madugu). The only awards that eluded the Super Falcons were the Golden Boot, which went to Moroccan striker Ghizlane Chebbak, and the Fair Play award, which went to South Africa.
The King congratulated the players
After the final, the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, issued an official statement congratulating the team on their brilliant performance despite the defeat. The monarch alluded to the pride and patriotism shown by the players during the championship.
Among the praise offered by the king were the commitment, involvement and exemplary spirit of the players. Finally, Mohammed VI organised the African Women's Cup of Nations, highlighting the hospitality and presence of fans from all corners of Africa in the stadiums, with remarkable attendance figures.
Third place went to Ghana
Twenty-four hours before the start of the final, Ghana and South Africa competed for third and fourth place in the tournament at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca. In the match, Ghana took the bronze after defeating the reigning champions on penalties.
