“Oh my opponent, you have been deceived.” Is what the Super Falcons of Nigeria explained to the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco in 90+ minutes of football at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final.
Outplayed, outclassed, and confident, the Atlas Lionesses went full steam against the Nigerian ladies with relentless runs from Sakina Ouzrai, Ghizlane Chebbak, and Sanaâ Mssoudy.
Ashley Plumptre, who looked like an off-duty IKEDC or EKEDC transformer on her off day, dropped a blunder, losing the ball on the right wing and saw Chebbak putting Chiamaka Nnadozie to the test — one the newly signed Brighton goalkeeper could not pass.
With the stadium filled with the home crowd erupting in celebration, it felt like the Falcons would find it difficult to fly after being spat on by the Atlas Lionesses.
Morocco is running, and Nigeria is chasing. It was no longer a game of “police and thief” but hunter and hunted for the nine-time champions — if you don’t count the two earlier titles by the Falcons.
If Nigeria had walkie-talkies on the pitch, it was unclear if they’d have been able to communicate properly and avoid the second goal. But it did happen, in the most basic manner, a goal can be scored.
A defender loses the ball. Her teammates don’t support. The opponent latches on to the ball in quick timing. And swish, Nnadozie is left posing for a photograph as the ball slides by her left side into the net.
But the Super Falcons didn’t have plans to give up. There was more to play for. More to give. In a sense, the small glimpse of happiness — and some bragging rights — of the most populous black nation on the planet rests on them.
Upon returning to the second ‘45, Nigeria had a point to prove. This wasn’t a final they would go down without a fight—nine finals, and not one lost. The tenth couldn’t be the charm.
Morocco, on the other hand, wasn’t ready to go another half full steam; instead, counterattacking was the choice of play.
Nigeria’s coach, Justin Madugu, on the touch line looking like someone’s unimpressed daddy at the school’s inter-house sports, substitutes Chinwendu Ihezuo for Rinsola Babajide and Halimatu Ayinde for Jennifer Echegini.
The Moroccans may have thought they met their match, but the Falcons are Super for a reason. And who better to step up to the occasion than the one who has “fight” in her name.
Ijamilusi, hustling to bring back our the girls into the game, took the ball to Morocco. A ball landing on Nouhaila Benzina’s hand — which necessitated a not-so-long VAR check — led to a penalty.
Esther Okonronkwo, ice-cold more than the light-skinned black man playing at SW6 in London, slotted it in without hesitation. Nigeria was one leg in.
Ijamilusi, with the fight once again, hustled the ball to Okonkoronkwo, who unselfishly misled the Moroccan defence to provide an assist back to Ijamilusi.
All squared on the pitch, and Nigeria was back in the game.
Everything seemed calm until a handball in the box brought a shadow of PTSD to the Nigerian fans. “Will our mandate be stolen again? In Morocco?” But a lengthy VAR check quashed the hopes of the hosts for a lead and brought relief to the Nigerians.
Twist and turns; Morocco on the verge of their first ever WAFCON in front of a home crowd and Nigeria on the road to sealing a 10th trophy (I said don’t count the first two), Nigeria gets a free kick metres away from Morocco’s 18.
A well-timed lift from Okoronkwo, and with a connection that many Nigerian ISPs lack, Echegini connects with the ball and the silence in the stadium was loud.
Miracle of Damman, who? Step aside! The Super Falcons of Nigeria have completed the comeback and are in the lead for the first time in this final. You doubt a Nigerian woman? You lose. You doubt a team of Nigerian women? Your loss is raised to the power of the ladies in the team.
Morocco 2 – 3 Nigeria
The Super Falcons of Nigeria have won the WAFCON title in every corner of the continent, and Morocco wasn’t going to be different.
At this point, nothing else mattered. Plumptre and Michelle Alozie had redeemed themselves. Okoronkwo had led a Woman of the Tournament and Match comeback. Rasheedat Ajibade had led a team that didn’t lose a match throughout their stay in Morocco, continuing a legacy from Oshoala and those before her.
As much drama that occurred on the pitch, the Falcons—ever Super, ever fighting—were once again crowned the champions of Africa as referee Antsino Twanyanyukwa from Malawi blew the final whistle—at least, her Malawian sister is on the winning team.
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