The Super Falcons of Nigeria stamped their superiority on the African continent with a heartbreaking comeback against the Atlas Lioness of Morocco in the final of the WAFCON 2024 to lift the La Decima with a 3-2 win.
The match which was played at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, Morocco saw the ambitious North Africans who were eager to lift their first continental title take an early and authoritative first half lead which sent goose pimples on Nigerian fans.
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Two goals from Ghizzlane Chebbak and Sanna Mssoudy in the 12′ and 24′ minutes of the first half gave the Atlas Lioness a strong belief that their efforts would soon be crowned with the ultimate price in women’s football on African soil, but what happened in the second half proved that their hope was a mirage.
Esther Okonkwo’s spot kick in the 64′ minutes gave the Falcons the wing to take a slow flap against the Lioness before Folashade Ijamilusi’s 74′ minutes goal helped them level up as the Falcons became swift with their wings and was ready to soar above the Lioness on their home soil.
The Lioness got a life-line for a spot kick in the 84′ minute to take a lead and possibly seal up the game, but VAR overturned the penalty which was awarded on grounds of a handball and left the game open for the two sides.
Perhaps an extra time and possible penalty would have favoured the North Africans if the game had gotten that far, but Nigeria remembering that it was during penalty shootout in the semifinal in 2022 that the Moroccans got that victory quickly worked out modalities to ensure it ended with regulation time.
The North Africans who also edged the Black Queens of Ghana after penalties in the semifinal were eager to do same against Falcons, but Jennifer Echegini’s 88′ minute strike stunned the Moroccans as that goal came with the vibes of a typical knockout in a boxing ring.
Efforts made by the Lioness to level up proved abortive, as the Falcons having soared to the top took no chances as they knew that they are having their destiny right in their hands.
The blast of the final whistle did not just mark celebration for the Nigerian side, it also afforded them an opportunity to get their pound of flesh from the North Africans who ended their hope of winning their 10th title three years ago in the semifinal of the tournament.
Furthermore, the Super Falcons who now win the $1m prize money for this edition have also recorded their 10th win in their 10th final to win their 10th Continental title.
