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| Photo credit: CAF |
Rabat, Morocco – The Stade Olympique throbbed with a frenetic energy, a sea of red and green pulsating with the dreams of a nation. This wasn't just a football match; it was a coronation waiting to happen. Host nation Morocco, with a golden generation on the cusp of history, stood on the precipice of their first-ever WAFCON title. Their opponents? The undisputed queens of African football, Nigeria's Super Falcons, aiming to reaffirm their dominance. What unfolded on that Saturday night was not merely a game, but an epic saga of despair, defiance, and ultimate triumph that will be etched into the annals of women's football forever.
The air was thick with anticipation, the Moroccan faithful roaring their Atlas Lionesses on. And their dreams seemed to materialize almost instantly. Just 12 minutes in, a gasp, then an explosion of sound. Captain Ghizlane Chebbak, with the poise of a true leader, unleashed a brilliant strike from outside the box. The ball, a blur of white, curled low and true, past the outstretched fingertips of Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
GOAL! Morocco 1-0 Nigeria.
The stadium erupted. A tidal wave of euphoria washed over Rabat. History was being written, and the home crowd savored every single, deafening decibel. The narrative was perfect: the hosts, the underdogs, seizing control.
Before the Super Falcons could even properly gather their bearings, the dream intensified for Morocco. In the 24th minute, a slick, incisive pass from Ibtissam Jraidi sliced through the Nigerian defense, finding Sanaâ Mssoudy in acres of space. The forward, with ice in her veins, made no mistake, a composed finish nestling into the bottom right corner.
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| Photo credit: CAF |
GOAL! Morocco 2-0 Nigeria.
The roar was deafening, almost predatory. The Super Falcons looked stunned, bewildered. Their iconic green jerseys seemed to sag under the weight of the partisan crowd, the relentless Moroccan attack. As the half-time whistle blew, the scoreboard glared a harsh reality: Nigeria, the reigning champions, were trailing by two goals, facing an uphill battle of monumental proportions. The whispers in the stands weren't about a comeback; they were about a new era, a changing of the guard. For many watching, the final whistle seemed a mere formality.
But within the quiet confines of the Nigerian dressing room, something was stirring. Coach Justin Madugu, a man known for his tactical astuteness and unwavering belief, must have delivered a half-time sermon that transcended tactics. It was a call to arms, a reminder of their heritage, their "pedigree and resilience." Whatever he said, it ignited a fire, a defiant spark in the hearts of his Super Falcons.
The second half began with a renewed vigor from Nigeria, but still, the breakthrough seemed elusive. Then, just after the hour mark, a lifeline. The referee, after consulting VAR, pointed to the spot. A handball by Nouhaila Benzina. The stadium held its breath. This was it. The moment.
Esther Okoronkwo stepped up, the weight of a nation's hope on her shoulders. She placed the ball, took a deep breath, and coolly dispatched the penalty.
GOAL! Morocco 2-1 Nigeria.
The Nigerian bench erupted. It wasn't just a goal; it was a declaration. A statement that they were not broken. That the queens were not ready to relinquish their throne. From that moment, the entire complexion of the match shifted. Momentum, a fickle beast, swung decisively in Nigeria’s favour. The red and green now roared with renewed hope, their voices cutting through the fading Moroccan cheers.
The Atlas Lionesses, who had seemed invincible just minutes earlier, suddenly looked rattled. Their early confidence gave way to apprehension. The Super Falcons, sensing blood, pressed higher, their passes sharper, their movements more fluid.
And then, the equalizer. In the 71st minute, Okoronkwo, now the orchestrator of their comeback, slipped a neat ball into the path of Folashade Ijamilusi. With a burst of speed and an unshakeable resolve, Ijamilusi drilled a left-footed effort into the bottom corner.
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| Photo credit: CAF |
GOAL! Morocco 2-2 Nigeria.
Pandemonium! The Super Falcons bench emptied, players embracing, celebrating a comeback that defied logic. The Moroccan crowd, once so boisterous, was now hushed, disbelief etched on their faces. From 2-0 down, Nigeria had clawed their way back, parity restored with a display of clinical finishing and sheer, unadulterated determination.
The match, now a breathless end-to-end spectacle, seemed destined for extra time. Both sides pushed, probed, desperate for that one decisive moment. The clock ticked towards the 88th minute, a cruel mistress for one team, a benevolent angel for the other.
A well-worked set-piece. A flurry of movement in the box. And once again, Esther Okoronkwo was at the heart of it, delivering a clever assist. The recipient? Joe Echegini. In the chaos, she remained composed, a beacon of calm. With a touch, then a shot, the ball found the back of the net.
GOAL! Nigeria 3-2 Morocco.
The stadium erupted in a cacophony of contrasting emotions. Ecstasy for Nigeria, heartbreak for Morocco. It was a dramatic turnaround, a sucker punch in the dying embers of the game. The Nigerian contingent exploded in joyous celebration, a mixture of relief and pure elation.
The final few minutes were a test of nerve, a blur of Moroccan attacks, desperate and relentless. Jorge Vilda’s side, though valiant, found no way through. The Super Falcons, bruised but unbowed, held firm, their defense a resolute wall against the tide of red.
The final whistle pierced the night air, a sound of sweet triumph for Nigeria, and crushing defeat for Morocco. It was a heartbreaking end for the Atlas Lionesses, who had impressed throughout the tournament and were bidding to become only the second nation ever to lift the WAFCON trophy after Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea.
But the night, unequivocally, belonged to the Super Falcons. Their experience, their depth, and that unyielding, "never-say-die spirit" propelled them to yet another African title – their 10th in 13 editions. This triumph was more than just another trophy; it was a resounding statement. Even in the face of rising challengers, even staring down the barrel of a two-goal deficit on foreign soil, Nigeria remains the undisputed, unassailable team to beat in African women's football. This was not just a victory; it was a testament to the enduring legacy of queens who refuse to be dethroned. The Super Falcons didn't just win a game; they authored a legend.
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