Nigeria’s Super Falcons completed a stunning second-half comeback to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 and secure their record-extending 10th continental title.
Trailing 2-0 at half-time, the West African giants rallied with goals from Esther Okoronkwo, Folamide Ijamilusi, and Jennifer Echegini, silencing a sold-out 21,000-capacity Olympic Stadium and stunning a Moroccan side that had hoped to lift the trophy on home soil.
The hosts got off to a dream start. Ghizlane Chebbak, daughter of Moroccan football legend Larbi Chebbak, curled home a brilliant strike in the 13th minute.
Just 11 minutes later, Sanaa Mssoudy doubled the lead with a scuffed effort that somehow beat Nigeria’s defense.
But everything changed after the break. Nigeria’s comeback began in the 64th minute when Okoronkwo calmly converted a penalty, awarded after a VAR review showed Nouhaila Benzina had handled a cross inside the box.
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Moments later, Okoronkwo turned provider, bursting into the Moroccan area and squaring for Ijamilusi to slot home the equaliser.
Then, with just two minutes left in regulation time, Okoronkwo delivered a pinpoint free-kick into the box, and substitute Jennifer Echegini beat Benzina to the ball, sweeping home the dramatic winner.
The final whistle sparked wild celebrations as the Super Falcons collapsed to the turf in jubilation, having pulled off one of the most memorable comebacks in WAFCON history.
Nigeria, who last won the tournament in 2018, maintain their 100% record in WAFCON finals, defeating a third host nation after South Africa (2000) and Cameroon (2016).
As champions, they collect a $1 million prize, double the amount from the previous edition, and become the first nation to lift the newly designed WAFCON trophy.
For Morocco, it was another heartbreak. After losing the 2022 final to South Africa, they brought in 2023 Women’s World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda in a bold attempt to claim their first-ever WAFCON title.