La Decima: How Super Falcons Achieved Historic Feat

 



The Nigeria Football Federation dubbed it MISSION X. That is, the Super Falcons were expected to win their 10th AWCON title in Morocco. It was a daunting task looking at the team and their rivals. Though Nigeria had dominated women soccer in Africa by winning nine titles from the 1998 edition held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The Super Falcons had won in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006 and lost for the first time in 2008 to the host nation, Equatorial Guinea. Nigeria reclaimed the title in 2010 by beating Equatorial Guinea in the final. It was a controversial match as the opponents were accused of using two males in the match. It was not proved though.

Equatorial Guinea bounced back in 2012 to reclaim the trophy. Nigeria won in 2014, 2016 and lost in 2022, and for the first time without a medal. Nigeria lost to Morocco in the semifinal after being reduced to nine women. The match still ended in a 0-0 draw with Morocco winning the ensuing penalty shoot out. The Nigerian ladies also lost the third place match to Zambia 1-0. They had earlier lost to the Bayana Bayana of South Africa, who eventually won the tournament for the first time.


REVENGE

In this year's edition, the Super Falcons were one of the favourites-but not the overwhelming favourites as in previous editions. South Africa, the defending champions, Morocco, the host nations that lost last time in the final and Zambia with their deadly duo were seen as big threats to Nigeria.

However, when the competition started Coach Justine Madugu and the ladies were determined despite some misgivings about the team selection. The team had 11 debutants with some players not expected to be in the team. Francisca Ordega was singled out. Asisat Oshoala was included but some were not comfortable with it.


But in the end, Coach Madugu got justified. In the opening match Nigeria defeated Tunisia 3-0 and went on to pip Botswana 1-0 to advance to the quarterfinal. The last group match against Algeria ended 0-0.

The Zambians made so much noise before the quarter final match, but ended up roundly beaten with the highest margin of the competition, 5-0. Nigeria meant business from the blast of the whistle. The deadly duo of Barbra Banda and Rachael Kundananji were kept quiet all through the match and could not live up to their pre match boasting. Revenge for last match's loss exacted.

South Africa became the next casualty as they lost 2-1 to Nigeria in a fiery semi final clash. Another revenge after the Bayana Bayana had beaten Nigeria in recent times even in Lagos!


In the final on Saturday, Morocco employed all foul  tactics to suppress the Nigerian ladies, who refused to buckle. The hosts were 2-0 up in the first 25 minutes due to what I call tactical blunder by the coach who adopted a defensive approach. He paired Halimatu Ayinde and Deborah Abiodun in the midfield and left it with no creativity. Even Ihezuo was moved to the back for defensive duties leaving Esther Okoronkwo isolated upfront.


Changes in the second half brought in Echegini and the game changed. Despite laser lights set on players' faces, Esther and her colleagues defied the odds to score in the 64th minute, 71st minute ( Ijamilusin) and 88 (Echegini) to turn the game on its head and break the heart of the Moroccans once again.



VAR INTERVENTIONS.

Kudos to the centre referee who stood firm in her calls. she missed the penalty incident that led to Nigeria's first goal, VAR called her to it and she rightly awarded a penalty to Nigeria, which Esther cooly finished and sparked Nigeria's revival.

After Folashade Ijamulusi's equaliser, the centre ref awarded a penalty to Morocco. A VAR check again and it was called off, deeming it not a handball offence to warrant a penalty. Third revenge exacted as Morocco did all foul play to win in 2022 and did again in 2025 but failed.








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