On July 26, 2025, Nigeria’s Super Falcons pulled off an incredible 3-2 comeback win against Morocco in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, securing their 10th championship title. The match, watched by 21,000 excited fans, was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Nigeria overcoming a two-goal deficit to defeat a strong Moroccan team playing at home.
The game kicked off at 9:00 PM WAT in Rabat’s Olympic Stadium, filled with passionate Moroccan supporters. Morocco, wearing red, lined up in a 4-5-1 formation, aiming to control the midfield and attack quickly. Nigeria, in green, used a 4-3-3 setup, with Chiamaka Nnadozie in goal, defenders Michelle Alozie, Osinachi Ohale, Oluwatosin Demehin, and Ashleigh Plumptre, midfielders Halimatu Ayinde, captain Rasheedat Ajibade, and Deborah Abiodun, and forwards Esther Okoronkwo, Chinwendu Ihezuo, and Folashade Ijamilusi. Morocco started strongly, pressing Nigeria to disrupt their play.
In the sixth minute, Morocco’s Sanaa Mssoudy fired a low shot from 20 yards, forcing Nnadozie to dive to her right and push the ball away. Morocco took the lead in the 13th minute when Nigeria’s Ayinde made a mistake, passing the ball straight to Morocco’s captain, Ghizlane Chebbak. Chebbak ran forward and curled a beautiful shot from 20 yards into the top left corner, leaving Nnadozie with no chance. The stadium roared as Morocco went 1-0 up.
Nigeria tried to respond in the 16th minute when Okoronkwo’s corner found Alozie, who headed the ball just wide of Morocco’s goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi’s post. In the 18th minute, Ajibade charged through the midfield, but Morocco’s Yasmin Mrabet stopped her with a clean tackle. Morocco doubled their lead in the 24th minute after Nigeria lost the ball. Ibtissam Jraidi passed to Mssoudy on the right wing. Mssoudy cut inside Plumptre and shot low across the goal. Nnadozie touched the ball but couldn’t stop it, making it 2-0 for Morocco.
In the 27th minute, Ijamilusi’s cross was blocked by Morocco’s defender Nouhaila Benzina, stopping Nigeria’s attack. Nigeria had a chance in the 33rd minute when Plumptre crossed from the left, and Ihezuo headed the ball, but it went over the bar. Er-Rmichi looked shaky on high balls, which Nigeria noticed but couldn’t use before halftime.
In the 40th minute, Chebbak tried another long shot, but Nnadozie caught it easily. At halftime, Morocco led 2-0, even though Nigeria had more possession and four corners. Nigeria’s defense made mistakes, and their attacks weren’t sharp enough.
After halftime, Nigeria came out with new energy, pressing higher and attacking wider. In the 50th minute, Okoronkwo’s corner reached Demehin, whose header was cleared off the line by Benzina. In the 55th minute, Ajibade’s powerful shot forced Er-Rmichi to fumble, but she grabbed the ball before Nigeria could score. The game changed in the 62nd minute when Ohale’s long pass hit Benzina’s arm in the box. After a VAR check, the referee awarded a penalty. Okoronkwo stepped up and calmly slotted the ball past Er-Rmichi, making it 2-1 and giving Nigeria hope.
Morocco fought back in the 67th minute when Jraidi’s low shot was saved by Nnadozie’s outstretched leg, a key moment that kept Nigeria in the game. Nigeria equalized in the 71st minute when Ajibade’s perfect pass found Ijamilusi. She rounded Er-Rmichi and scored from a tight angle, tying the score at 2-2. The goal lifted Nigeria, and they took control of the game.
In the 78th minute, Morocco thought they had a penalty when a corner hit Abiodun’s arm, but VAR overturned the call, relieving Nigeria’s players. In the 84th minute, Mssoudy fouled Okoronkwo just outside the box, giving Nigeria a free-kick. The delivery was cleared, but Nigeria kept pushing. The winning moment came in the 88th minute when Okoronkwo’s free-kick found substitute Jennifer Echegini, who blasted a shot past Er-Rmichi at the near post, putting Nigeria ahead 3-2. The stadium grew quiet as some Moroccan fans started leaving.
In the 90+2nd minute, Nigeria brought on Echegini, Oladipo, and Sikiratu for Alozie, Ihezuo, and Ayinde to hold the lead. In the 90+4th minute, Ajibade’s corner was cleared, and Morocco launched a counterattack. Ohale’s sliding tackle on Jraidi in the box stopped a dangerous move. When the final whistle blew in the 90+6th minute, Nigeria celebrated their 3-2 victory, winning their 10th WAFCON title. The Super Falcons danced with their fans, including Tunde Onakoya, while Morocco’s players were comforted by their supporters.
How the Players Performed
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Goalkeeper, Nigeria, 8/10): Nnadozie was excellent, even though she let in two goals. Her save on Jraidi’s shot in the 67th minute, diving low to her left, was huge. She caught crosses well and helped start attacks with accurate passes, unlike Morocco’s goalkeeper.
Michelle Alozie (Right-Back, Nigeria, 7/10): Alozie had a tough time against Mssoudy’s speed, especially for Morocco’s second goal. She helped in attack, winning two corners and sending in three crosses. Her header in the 16th minute was Nigeria’s best chance in the first half.
Osinachi Ohale (Center-Back, Nigeria, 8/10): Ohale was a strong defender. Her long pass in the 62nd minute led to the penalty, and her tackle on Jraidi in the 90+4th minute saved the game. She won most of her aerial battles and passed accurately.
Oluwatosin Demehin (Center-Back, Nigeria, 7.5/10): Demehin’s header in the 50th minute was cleared off the line. She was strong in the air, winning most headers, and made three clearances. Jraidi’s movement caused her some trouble.
Ashleigh Plumptre (Left-Back, Nigeria, 6.5/10): Plumptre was beaten for Mssoudy’s goal but got better, sending in four crosses, two of which were accurate. She clashed with Er-Rmichi, showing the goalkeeper’s weakness, and made three tackles.
Halimatu Ayinde (Midfield, Nigeria, 6/10): Ayinde’s mistake in the 13th minute gave Morocco their first goal. She worked hard, running the most on the pitch and making four tackles, but her passing was sometimes sloppy.
Rasheedat Ajibade (Midfield/Captain, Nigeria, 8.5/10): Ajibade was Nigeria’s star, earning Player of the Match. Her perfect pass for Ijamilusi’s goal in the 71st minute changed the game. She dribbled well, created chances, and ran tirelessly.
Deborah Abiodun (Midfield, Nigeria, 7/10): Abiodun started instead of Echegini and fought hard, winning most tackles. Her long shot in the 55th minute tested Er-Rmichi. Her arm nearly caused a penalty in the 78th minute, but VAR helped.
Esther Okoronkwo (Forward, Nigeria, 9/10): Okoronkwo was the game’s hero, scoring the penalty in the 62nd minute and setting up Echegini’s winner in the 88th minute. Her speed and dribbling caused Morocco problems, and she created four chances.
Chinwendu Ihezuo (Forward, Nigeria, 7.5/10): Ihezuo, Nigeria’s top scorer in the tournament, missed a header in the 33rd minute. Her smart runs stretched Morocco’s defense, and she won most of her battles on the ground.
Folashade Ijamilusi (Forward, Nigeria, 8/10): Ijamilusi’s calm finish in the 71st minute tied the game. She sent in three crosses and dribbled well, working nicely with Okoronkwo to spark Nigeria’s comeback.
Jennifer Echegini (Substitute, Nigeria, 8/10): Echegini came on late and scored the winning goal in the 88th minute with a powerful shot. Her coolness under pressure was key.
Oladipo and Sikiratu (Substitutes, Nigeria, 6.5/10): Both came on in the 90+2nd minute to help Nigeria hold the lead. Oladipo made one clearance, and Sikiratu passed accurately in her short time on the pitch.
Khadija Er-Rmichi (Goalkeeper, Morocco, 5.5/10): Er-Rmichi had a tough game, struggling with high balls and colliding with Plumptre in the 33rd minute. She fumbled Ajibade’s shot and was beaten by Echegini’s strike at her near post.
Nouhaila Benzina (Center-Back, Morocco, 6/10): Benzina’s handball in the 62nd minute gave Nigeria the penalty. She cleared Demehin’s header off the line in the 50th minute but struggled against Ihezuo’s movement.
Hanane Ait El Haj (Defender, Morocco, 6.5/10): Ait El Haj made three tackles and two interceptions but couldn’t stop Okoronkwo’s runs in the second half. She helped Morocco’s early control with good passing.
Ghizlane Chebbak (Midfield/Captain, Morocco, 7.5/10): Chebbak scored a brilliant goal in the 13th minute and controlled the game early. She faded in the second half as Nigeria took over.
Yasmin Mrabet (Midfield, Morocco, 7/10): Mrabet stopped Ajibade with a tackle in the 18th minute and passed well early on. She lost more battles as Nigeria’s pressure grew.
Sanaa Mssoudy (Winger, Morocco, 7.5/10): Mssoudy’s goal in the 24th minute was well-taken, and her speed troubled Plumptre. She gave away the foul that led to Nigeria’s winning goal.
Ibtissam Jraidi (Forward, Morocco, 7/10): Jraidi set up Mssoudy’s goal and forced a save from Nnadozie. Ohale’s tackle stopped her late run in the 90+4th minute.
Sakina Ouzraoui (Winger, Morocco, 6.5/10): Ouzraoui was quiet, managing one dribble and no shots. Alozie kept her in check, limiting her impact.
Other Morocco Players (Average 6/10): Players like Najat Badri, who came on as a substitute, couldn’t change the game. Morocco’s starting defenders, like Zineb Redouani, struggled as Nigeria took control.
Nigeria’s Last Five Matches
Nigeria’s journey to their 10th WAFCON title showed their strength and growth. Here’s a detailed look at their last five matches, explaining how each game unfolded and how goals were scored.
On July 7, 2025, Nigeria began their tournament with a 3-0 win against Tunisia at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca. The Super Falcons took charge early, controlling the ball and creating chances. In the 15th minute, Asisat Oshoala scored the first goal, running onto a through ball from Okoronkwo and sliding the ball past Tunisia’s goalkeeper Soulaima Jebraoui from 12 yards. In the 32nd minute, Ihezuo made it 2-0, heading in a cross from Alozie after a clever corner routine where Okoronkwo passed short to Ajibade, who crossed. Ajibade sealed the victory in the 68th minute with a stunning 20-yard free-kick that curled into the top corner after she was fouled. Nnadozie kept a clean sheet, diving to save a long-range shot from Tunisia, while Ohale and Demehin stopped any attacks.
On July 10, Nigeria faced Botswana at the same stadium and won 1-0 in a tougher match. The game was tight, with Nigeria finding it hard to break through Botswana’s defense. The only goal came in the 40th minute when Ihezuo pounced on a mistake by a Botswana defender, who miskicked a clearance. Ihezuo dribbled past the goalkeeper and tapped the ball into an empty net. Nnadozie made one important save, and Ohale and Demehin kept Botswana’s attacks quiet, ensuring another clean sheet. Nigeria’s attack struggled, with Okoronkwo and Ijamilusi unable to create many chances.
On July 13, Nigeria played Algeria in their final group stage match, ending in a 0-0 draw. The Super Falcons had more of the ball but couldn’t score, even with three shots on target. Ajibade came closest, hitting the post with a 25-yard shot in the 55th minute. Echegini had a late header saved by Algeria’s goalkeeper. Algeria’s tight 5-4-1 formation stopped Nigeria’s attacks, and Ohale and Plumptre won most aerial battles. Nnadozie had little to do, as Algeria focused on defending, making it a frustrating day for Nigeria.
In the quarter-finals on July 18, Nigeria shone with a 5-0 win over Zambia at Stade Moulay Hassan in Rabat. The Super Falcons were unstoppable, scoring early and often. Ihezuo opened the scoring in the 12th minute, tapping in a low cross from Okoronkwo after a fast counterattack. Ajibade scored in the 25th minute, dribbling past two defenders and shooting from 15 yards into the bottom corner. Ihezuo scored again in the 60th minute, heading in Ajibade’s corner. Alozie added a fourth in the 70th minute, volleying a cleared corner at the back post. Abiodun finished the scoring in the 85th minute, blasting a 20-yard shot after Echegini passed to her. Nnadozie kept a clean sheet, with Zambia managing just one shot on target.
On July 22, Nigeria beat defending champions South Africa 2-1 in a dramatic semi-final at Stade Mohammed V. Ihezuo scored in the 20th minute, racing onto Ajibade’s long pass that beat South Africa’s defense and finishing a one-on-one past the goalkeeper. South Africa tied the game in the 65th minute with a penalty scored by Thembi Kgatlana after Demehin fouled in the box. Nigeria won it in the 90+3rd minute when Alozie headed in a free-kick from Okoronkwo at the far post. Nnadozie made three saves, including a vital stop in stoppage time, while Ohale’s defending kept South Africa’s chances limited.
These five matches show Nigeria’s growth. They scored 11 goals with eight different scorers, proving their attacking strength. They conceded just one goal, a penalty, thanks to Nnadozie’s saves and a strong defense led by Ohale and Demehin. The Zambia win showed their attacking power, while the South Africa victory proved they could handle pressure.
Conclusion
Nigeria’s 3-2 win over Morocco was a display of their fighting spirit and skill. Down 2-0 at halftime, the Super Falcons, led by Okoronkwo’s brilliance and Echegini’s winning goal, turned the match around to claim their 10th WAFCON title. Morocco’s early lead and home crowd couldn’t stop Nigeria’s second-half surge. This article captures every moment of the match and Nigeria’s journey, giving readers a clear, exciting story that feels like watching the game live.