Nigeria’s triumphant campaign at the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) was further crowned with individual accolades, as Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie, and head coach Justin Madugu emerged as top winners following the Super Falcons’ dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over hosts Morocco in the final in Rabat.
The Super Falcons, trailing 2-0 at half-time, produced one of the most memorable turnarounds in tournament history, reclaiming their dominance in African women’s football with a record-extending 10th title.
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Ajibade Named Player of the Tournament
Team captain Rasheedat Ajibade was honoured with the TotalEnergies Player of the Tournament award, recognizing her exceptional leadership and consistency throughout the competition.
While she only scored once during the tournament, Ajibade was instrumental in orchestrating Nigeria’s attacks and controlling the tempo in midfield. Her three Woman of the Match awards during the campaign underscored her influence and importance to the team’s success.
Ajibade’s performances reflected resilience, tactical intelligence, and unrelenting drive, making her a deserving winner of the tournament’s most prestigious individual accolade.
Nnadozie Crowned Best Goalkeeper
Chiamaka Nnadozie added another feather to her cap, winning the Best Goalkeeper Award after a standout tournament between the posts.
Nnadozie was a commanding figure throughout WAFCON 2024, keeping multiple clean sheets and producing decisive saves, including in the tense semifinal against South Africa. Her calm presence, sharp reflexes, and leadership from the backline were pivotal in Nigeria’s journey to the final.
Her selection as the tournament’s top shot-stopper reaffirmed her growing legacy as one of the finest goalkeepers in African women’s football.
Madugu Named Coach of the Tournament
In a crowning moment for local coaching excellence, Nigeria’s head coach Justin Madugu was named Coach of the Tournament, following a near-flawless campaign that saw the Super Falcons go unbeaten and concede just one goal en route to the title.
Madugu, appointed just months before the tournament, successfully blended youth and experience to rebuild a resilient, cohesive unit. His tactical acumen and motivational leadership were evident in Nigeria’s dominant performances, including a 5-0 group-stage rout of Zambia and the 2-1 semifinal victory over defending champions South Africa.
This recognition caps an illustrious continental run for the Adamawa-born coach, who now stands poised to lead Nigeria into the 2026 WAFCON and the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Other Notable Honours
Golden Boot: Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak claimed her second consecutive top scorer award with five goals.
Fair Play Award: South Africa’s Banyana Banyana earned the tournament’s Fair Play Award for exemplary sportsmanship and discipline, both on and off the pitch.
Nigeria’s Return to the Summit
The Super Falcons’ 2024 triumph marks a return to the top of African football after a fourth-place finish in 2022.
Their remarkable comeback in the final, led by Ajibade’s grit, Nnadozie’s saves, and Madugu’s strategy, cemented their status as queens of African football once more.
As the dust settles on an unforgettable edition of WAFCON, Nigeria’s clean sweep of the major individual awards serves as testament to a collective mission accomplished.
