Nigeria’s Esther Okoronkwo was named the Woman of the Match after leading the Super Falcons to a dramatic 3‑2 comeback victory over Morocco in the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) at the Stade Olympique in Rabat .
Trailling 2–0 at halftime following early strikes from Moroccan captain Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaâ Mssoudy, Nigeria appeared on the brink until Okoronkwo sparked a stunning turnaround .
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Midway through the second half, a VAR-awarded penalty for a handball was calmly converted by Okoronkwo, halving the deficit. She then set up Folashade Ijamilusi to level in the 71st minute with a precise through ball.
Finally, in the 88th minute, Okoronkwo delivered a perfectly crafted set‑piece assist to Jennifer Echegini, who netted the winner to seal Nigeria’s record-extending 10th WAFCON crown .
Okoronkwo finished the tournament with two goals and six assists, underlining her importance to the Super Falcons’ success .
Reflecting on the match, Okoronkwo highlighted VAR’s critical role, stating Nigeria might have lost if not for the video review that overturned an opponent’s penalty decision in the second half.
The match showcased the Falcons’ grit under pressure, as they overturned a spirited Moroccan challenge on their home turf.
Despite Morocco’s strong start and passionate crowd support, Nigeria’s superior experience and clinical second-half execution won them the day .
This victory not only secured the Falcons’ 10th continental championship but also reaffirmed their dominance in African women’s football, making it their 10th title in 13 editions of the competition .
Esther Okoronkwo truly rose to the occasion, her performance cementing her place among the tournament’s standout players and making her a deserving final Woman of the Match award recipient.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons have once again proven why they remain Africa’s pre‑eminent team — led by Esther Okoronkwo, they turned despair into history with a comeback for the ages.
