The National Sports Commission (NSC) has extended enormous congratulations to Nigeria’s Super Falcons following their stunning comeback victory over host nation Morocco to win the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations WAFCON2024 on Saturday night.
The Super Falcons became the first African team in history to clinch the title for a record 10th time.
Speaking after the match, NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, praised the team’s courage and fighting spirit, as one that exemplifies the spirit of the nation.
“What we witnessed tonight is nothing short of legendary. The Super Falcons showed the heart of true champions by ising from adversity, silencing the crowd, and etching their names into the annals of African football history. On behalf of the President of Nigeria , Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is proud of this team and Nigerian sports family, we say congratulations and thank you for making the nation proud.”
Also commenting on the landmark achievement, NSC Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, charged the team to keep their sights on even greater targets:
“This is the Nigeria we know , resilient, relentless, and unstoppable. To bounce back from two goals down against the host nation in a final is a mark of extraordinary character. Mission X is complete. The journey continues, and we will be with you every step of the way.”
NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, were both in attendance at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, where they cheered the team to the dramatic turnaround that front of a hostile capacity home crowd.
From a 2-0 deficit at half-time, following goals from Morocco’s Ghizzlane Chebbak (12’) and Sanna Mssoudy (24’), the resilient Nigerian side launched a spirited comeback in the second half. Esther Okoronkwo ignited the revival with a well-taken penalty in the 64th minute before setting up Folashade Ijamilusi for a tidy finish in the 71st.
The final dagger came in the 88th minute, when substitute Jennifer Echegini calmly converted a sublime freekick assist from Okoronkwo, sealing the Falcons’ place in history.
