WAFCON 2024: The Super Falcons have won their tenth title, fulfilling Mission X
Nigeria defeated Morocco 3-2 at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat on Saturday night, completing “Mission X” by capturing their tenth continental championship after rallying from a two-goal deficit.
The Atlas Lionesses are in control of the match after goals from Sanaa Mssoudy and Ghizlane Chebbak in the first quarter. They seem to be headed to victory over South Africa and the erasure of the 2022 final, which was also played at home.
The Super Falcons’ lackluster performance was replaced by a more focused and earnest effort after halftime, as they knotted the score at two goals with a close-range goal from Folashade Ijamilusi and a penalty kick from Esther Okoronkwo.
Then, in the 88th minute, substitute Jennifer Echegini scored a goal to give Nigeria a record-tying 10th championship and return to the top of the continent’s women’s football standings, making African football history.
Ghizlane Chebbak, the captain of Morocco, put the first goal in the 13th minute after a period of continuous pressure when he whipped home a right-footed shot from the “D” of Nigeria’s penalty area.
In the past, the clubs have traded half-chances. Just over ten minutes later, Sanaa Mssoudy doubled the Atlas Lionesses’ lead with a low, left-footed shot after a hopeful cross from the right found its way to the FAR Rabat forward.
Nigeria played better for the rest of the first half, but they were unable to generate any clear opportunities to test Morocco’s goalkeeper Khadija Errmichi, therefore the score was 2-0 in favor of the host country at the break.
As the second half settled into a similar pattern as the first half ended, Nigeria controlled possession and made Morocco sit deep in defense. However, the North Africans’ speed, especially through Sakina Ouzraoui’s counterattack, remained a threat.
The Super Falcons added Jennifer Echegini and Rinsola Babajide to their squad just before the hour. When Morocco defender Nouhaila Benzina was given a penalty (after a VAR review) for hand-balling in the 63rd minute, their forward pressure paid dividends.
The West Africans quickly returned to the game at 1-2 thanks to a penalty kick from Esther Okoronkwo.
In the seventieth minute, Okoronkwo drove into the penalty area and then generously set up Folashade Ijamilusi, who scored from close range to tie the score at two goals.
The Super Falcons appeared to be ahead, but defender Oluwatosin Demehin gave Morocco a penalty kick in the 79th minute.
However, after a VAR review, the referee had a change of heart, much to the dismay of the home crowd.
Then, following Okoronkwo’s free kick in the 88th minute, Echegini scored Nigeria’s third goal to complete “Mission X” for the Super Falcons and make it 3-2.
