History sometimes has a way of repeating itself. In a remarkable twist of fate, Nigeria’s Super Falcons once again staged a stunning comeback on July 26, almost exactly two years after their famous turnaround against Australia at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

On Sunday night at the Stade Olympique in Rabat, the Falcons came from two goals down to defeat tournament hosts Morocco 3-2 and clinch their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title dramatically.

The match mirrored the events of July 27, 2023, when the Nigerian women shocked co-hosts Australia with a 3-2 comeback win at the World Cup.

Brisbane Football Stadium, Brisbane, Australia – July 27, 2023: Australia 2-3 Nigeria. 

This time in Morocco, the stakes were even higher, with the continental title on the line and the Moroccan crowd in full voice.

The Lionesses of Morocco, seeking their first WAFCON crown, raced to a 2-0 lead in the first half, capitalising on defensive errors and a wave of fan support.

 But the Super Falcons, known for their resilience and pedigree, emerged on the other side after the break.

Goals from Rasheedat Ajibade, Uchenna Kanu, and Toni Payne turned the game on its head in a thrilling second-half performance that silenced the home fans and crowned Nigeria champions of Africa yet again.

July 26, 2025 in Rabat: Nigeria’s midfielder Rinsola Babajide celebrates with the national flag after winning the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final [Abdel Majid Bziouat/AFP]

The victory marks Nigeria’s return to the WAFCON summit after missing out on the title in the last edition hosted by Morocco in 2022, where the Falcons were eliminated in the semifinals on penalties.

For many fans and observers, the coincidence of two dramatic July 26 and 27 victories by the Super Falcons—each against tournament hosts, each by a 3-2 margin—adds another chapter to the team’s storied legacy in women’s football.

With the win, the Super Falcons not only extend their record as the most successful team in WAFCON history but also reinforce their status as Africa’s dominant force in women’s football.

Yet, this is not the first time Nigeria has taken a dramatic turnaround in encounters with Morocco.

Sports Village Square recalls the epic CHAN quarterfinal duel of 2013 in Cape Town, South Africa. Morocco took a 3-0 lead from goals by Mohsine Moutouali in the 33rd and 40th minutes, and another one by Mouhcine Iajour in the 37th minute to give the North African side a commanding 3-0 lead within seven minutes.

Then came one of the most dramatic comeback wins in African football.

In the second half, Ugonna Uzochukwu scored in the 49th minute to put Nigeria on the recovery path. Rabiu Ali, currently the oldest and easily the one with the longest career in the Nigeria Premier League, narrowed the tally to 3-2 in the 56th minute.

On the dot of the 90th minute, the comeback was completed when Ejike Uzoenyi put the scoreline at 3-3.  In the 111th minute of extra time, Christian Pyagbara put Nigeria 4-3 ahead.

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Nigeria’s head coach, Justin Madugu, has been named Coach of the Tournament at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), capping off a triumphant campaign in which he guided the Super Falcons to a historic 10th continental crown.

The 61-year-old tactician’s recognition follows a remarkable run that saw Nigeria go unbeaten, concede just one goal, and deliver commanding performances en route to reclaiming their status as Africa’s dominant force in women’s football.

Madugu’s rise to prominence marks a defining moment in his coaching journey.

Re-appointed as interim head coach just months before the tournament, the Adamawa-born strategist seized the opportunity to deliver silverware and re-establish Nigeria’s supremacy on the African stage.

Before taking the reins, Madugu had served in interim roles under former head coach Randy Waldrum and was a long-serving assistant coach, contributing to Nigeria’s WAFCON successes in 2014 and 2018, and their fourth-place finish in 2022.

In 2024, the Nigeria Football Federation handed him full control of the team — a decision that paid rich dividends.

Despite being relatively unknown outside the continent before Morocco 2024, Madugu proved his mettle with tactical brilliance and man-management skills. He blended home-based talent with foreign-based professionals, creating a balanced and cohesive squad that combined defensive solidity with attacking flair.

Under his guidance, the Super Falcons delivered emphatic victories, including a 5-0 demolition of Zambia in the group stage, a tense 2-1 semi-final win over defending champions South Africa, and a dramatic 3-2 comeback triumph against hosts Morocco in the final — securing Nigeria’s record-extending 10th WAFCON title.

Madugu’s “Mission X” campaign not only restored national pride but also solidified his place among Africa’s elite coaches.

 His previous résumé includes key roles in Nigeria’s teams at the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Chile, the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago, and the senior FIFA Women’s World Cups in 2015 and 2019.

He also contributed to Nigeria’s gold medal at the 2015 All-Africa Games and their 2019 WAFU-B Women’s Cup triumph.

With continental glory now to his name, Madugu is expected to lead the Super Falcons into the 2026 WAFCON title defence and the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Following back-to-back Round of 16 finishes at the last two World Cups, Nigeria is aiming higher — and with Madugu at the helm, the future looks promising.

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Despite Nigeria’s thrilling 3-2 victory over hosts Morocco in the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), the tournament’s Golden Boot was won by Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak,scorer of six goals at the tournament.

Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade, who was instrumental in the Super Falcons’ successful campaign, was crowned as the Player of the Tournament.

Chebbak, the 34-year-old leader of the Atlas Lionesses, also claimed the Golden Boot at the previous edition in 2022, where she was named Most Valuable Player. Once again, she proved her quality on home soil, but her efforts were not enough to stop the Super Falcons in the final.

Nigeria came from two goals down to stun the hosts in front of a packed Olympic Stadium in Rabat on Saturday, July 26, clinching a record-extending 10th continental title. Ajibade’s consistent performances throughout the tournament were key to the team’s success and her recognition as Player of the Tournament is a fitting reward.

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