The 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final in Rabat delivered a night of pure drama as Nigeria’s Super Falcons staged a remarkable comeback to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2, clinching their 10th WAFCON title — the most by any team in the tournament’s history.
🇲🇦 Morocco 2-3 Nigeria 🇳🇬 — The Night of the Comeback Queens
For all of Morocco’s early brilliance, the final will be remembered as a masterclass in resilience from the Super Falcons.
The Atlas Lionesses stunned the Nigerian bench with two early goals, sending their home fans into a frenzy. At 2-0, the Moroccans looked poised to make history — but what followed was a second-half performance that defined champions.
Nigeria returned from the break with renewed urgency, composure, and hunger — and leading the charge was Esther Okoronkwo, who delivered a performance of a lifetime.
First, she stepped up with nerves of steel to calmly convert a penalty, halving the deficit and restoring belief. Then came the turning point — Okoronkwo slipped in a clever pass to Folashade Ijamilusi, whose finish brought Nigeria level at 2-2. With momentum on their side, Nigeria pushed forward relentlessly.
The winner came in through Super Falcons style — fast, intelligent, and ruthless. Once again, Okoronkwo turned provider, this time setting up Jennifer Echegini, who smashed home the decisive third goal to seal one of the most memorable comebacks in WAFCON history.
After the dramatic final whistle, Coach Justin Madugu offered insight into the mindset that powered Nigeria’s incredible comeback:
“For you to play in the finals against the host country, leading by two-zero in one half and then coming back to win, it was not easy. It was a great feat by the players and I really give them a lot of credit for the mental resilience and the belief that we had in the team. We knew we could do it and we kept pushing — and at the end of it all, we were able to achieve our goal.”
He further revealed how the team stayed grounded and focused, even when the odds looked stacked against them:
“When we were two goals down, we kept encouraging the players not to lose themselves and not to give up. At half-time, we did a lot of talking — to them individually and collectively as a group.”
A Decade of Dominance: Nigeria’s 10th WAFCON Title
The victory marks Nigeria’s 10th WAFCON triumph, extending their legendary record in the competition and cementing their reputation as Africa’s footballing powerhouse.
Their titles span across: 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2024
Under the guidance of Coach Justin Madugu, the Falcons blended youth, experience, and tactical awareness to reclaim their crown. Madugu’s leadership throughout the tournament earned him the well-deserved award of Coach of the Tournament.
Individual Brilliance and Team Awards
Nigeria’s dominance was not just in silverware but also in the standout individual performances recognized at the end of the tournament:
Player of the Tournament: Rasheedat Ajibade 🇳🇬
Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Chiamaka Nnadozie 🇳🇬
Golden Boot: Ghizlane Chebbak 🇲🇦
Fair Play Award: South Africa 🇿🇦
Bronze for Ghana in Friday’s Thriller
In the third-place match played on Friday, Ghana’s Black Queens defeated South Africa in a nervy battle that ended in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
The win secured Ghana a podium finish and brought a satisfying end to their impressive WAFCON campaign.
Final Standings
🥇 Nigeria – Champions (10th title)
🥈 Morocco – Runners-up
🥉 Ghana – Third Place (won on penalties vs South Africa)
Full-Time Thoughts
The 2025 WAFCON final wasn’t just a football match, it was a display of character, belief, and legacy. From two goals down to champions, the Super Falcons showed why they remain the pride of African women’s football.
Ten titles. Unmatched greatness