*Hosts Morocco Thought It Was Over After 2-0 First Half Lead
*Nigerian Resilience Pays Off
The Super Falcons came back from two goals down at halftime on Saturday, July 26, to claim a 3-2 victory over the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco in the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Having lost to South Africa in the last final, also on home soil, it’s heartbreak for Morocco once again.
The Atlas Lionesses’ wait for their first WAFCON title goes on.
The match was played at Stade Olympique de Rabat.
Given the quality of football that both teams had played since the start of the competition, it was expected to be an enthralling encounter, and they showed up.
Morocco had the support of their home fans, as they turned out in their numbers to show support for their team.
They also turned up with their laser lights which did not do any favour for the Super Falcons.
Nigeria struggled to get into the groove quickly, and the Atlas Lionesses took advantage of their slow start.
Jorge Vilda’s women pressed Nigeria high, making it difficult for them to link defence to offense.
It soon yielded results, Ghizlane Chebbak scored the opener in the 13th minute. She got the ball in front of the D after a defensive mix-up from Nigeria and unleashed a scorcher that just went past Chiamaka Nnadozie and nestled at the back of the net.
Before the Super Falcons could catch their breath, the Atlas Lionesses struck again. This time, it was Sanaa Mssoudy who did the damage.
She beat Michelle Alozie on the left side of Nigeria’s box and struck a low shot into the bottom of the net to make it 2-0 after 24 minutes.
Nigeria upped their game through the remainder of the first half, though they created no clear chances with which to test out Morocco goalkeeper Khadija Errmichi, leaving the score 2-0 in favour of the host nation at the interval.
Great Comeback
The second half settled into a similar pattern as the end of the first, with Nigeria dominating possession and forcing Morocco to sit deep in defence – though the North Africans threatened through their pace, especially from Sakina Ouzraoui, on the counter-attack.
The Super Falcons shuffled their pack with the introductions of Jennifer Echegini and Rinsola Babajide just before the hour mark, and in the 63rd minute their attacking pressure paid dividends with the award of a penalty (after a VAR review) for hand-ball from Morocco defender Nouhaila Benzina.
Esther Okoronkwo scored from the spot to bring the Super Falcons right back into the contest at 1-2.
And Okoronkwo played a key role in the equalising goal in the 71st minute, driving into the penalty area before unselfishly teeing up Folashade Ijamilusi, who struck home at close range for 2-2.
All momentum appeared to be with the Super Falcons, but in the 79th minute Morocco were awarded a penalty of their own for a hand-ball from defender Oluwatosin Demehin.
However, the referee reversed her decision after a VAR review – much to the annoyance of the home supporters.
And Nigeria then completed the comeback with a third goal, arriving in the 88th minute when Echegini swept home Okoronkwo’s free kick delivery to make it 3-2 and complete ‘Mission X’ for the Super Falcons.
Deservedly, Okoronkwo was awarded Player of The Match.
