Nigeria’s Super Falcons completed their much-talked-about “Mission X” on Saturday, with a 3-2 comeback win over Morocco in the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), Afrosport reports.
Now 10-time African champions, Nigeria rallied from two goals down after Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaa Mssoudy handed the hosts a first-half lead inside the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.
FULL-TIME!
The Super Falcons come back from 2 goals behind to seal the deal! 🇳🇬 #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2024 pic.twitter.com/pXHmGtVwTo
— CAF Women’s Football (@CAFwomen) July 26, 2025
However, goals from Esther Okoronkwo, who was named Player of the Match, Folashade Ijamilusi and substitute Jennifer Echegini crowned a dominant second-half effort from the Super Falcons as they marched on to win their first WAFCON title since 2018.
CHAMPIONS OF AFRICA FOR THE 10TH TIME! 🏆🇳🇬
Tell your neighbors, tell the world — the Super Falcons reign supreme again!#MissionX #SoarSuperFalcons #WAFCON2024 #Champions #MORNGA pic.twitter.com/tiUQZleMEy
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) July 26, 2025
Both sides came into Saturday’s game with a single objective—to clinch the WAFCON title. For hosts Morocco, it was a hunt for their maiden honour, while for Nigeria, it would mark a return to the upper echelon of African football and a record-extending 10th title.
🏆 1998 🇳🇬
🏆 2000 🇳🇬
🏆 2002 🇳🇬
🏆 2004 🇳🇬
🏆 2006 🇳🇬
🏆 2010 🇳🇬
🏆 2014 🇳🇬
🏆 2016 🇳🇬
🏆 2018 🇳🇬
🏆 2024 🇳🇬#TotalEnergiesWAFCON2024 pic.twitter.com/IsumyQ3GOp— CAF Women’s Football (@CAFwomen) July 26, 2025
The Atlas Lionesses looked dangerous early on, and they swiftly broke the deadlock, thanks to a sublime strike from Chebbak, who bagged her fifth goal of the tournament. The 35-year-old curled the ball past the stretching Chiamaka Nnadozie from outside the box in the 12th minute.
Nigeria seemed flustered, and their attempt to draw level was frustrated by a resolute Moroccan defence. Rather, it was Jorge Vilda’s side that found the back of the net again—this time, from the boots of Mssoudy. After some terrible defending from Nigeria, the ball found its way to the winger, who beat her marker before finding the far bottom corner.
It was all the hosts from then on, with the home fans urging them to get more. But the scores remained at 2-0 heading into the break, leaving Nigeria with a lot to do.
The Super Falcons, meanwhile, looked a changed side in the second half, pushing the Moroccans back while trying to create goal-scoring opportunities.
Their sustained pressure paid off, and they were rewarded with a penalty after a lengthy VAR review. Nouhaila Benzina was adjudged to have handed the ball inside her own box, and Okoronkwo made her pay, sending goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi the wrong way from the resulting penalty.
The Canada-based forward turned provider for the second goal, finding Ijamilusi inside the box after a solo run. Nigeria’s No. 20 made no mistake, firing the ball past Er-Rmichi from close range.
Morocco was handed a chance to get back in front when referee Antsino Twanyanyukwa awarded them a penalty. However, following another lengthy VAR review, she overturned the initial call.
The Super Falcons wasted no time in completing their comeback, with Echegini, who came on for Halimatu Ayinde, scoring what turned out to be the winner. The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder found the bottom corner with a half-volley from an Okoronkwo set piece.
Six minutes of stoppage time were added, but Justine Madugu’s side held on for the win to ensure Nigeria finished the tournament unbeaten and conceded just three goals in six matches.
Undefeated. Unstoppable. Unparalleled. 🇳🇬
The Super Falcons make it 𝐓𝐄𝐍 final wins out of 𝐓𝐄𝐍. 🏆#TotalEnergiesWAFCON2024 pic.twitter.com/ooShKAKRvI
— CAF Women’s Football (@CAFwomen) July 26, 2025
For Morocco, it was another final heartbreak on home soil, after they lost 2-1 to South Africa in the last edition in 2022.
The award ceremony afterwards was dominated by Nigeria, with the trio of Nnadozie, Rasheedat Ajibade and Madugu earning the Best Goalkeeper, Player of the Tournament and Best Coach accolades.
Chebbak claimed the Golden Boot as top scorer, Bafana Banfana were honoured with the Fair Play award.
