Super Falcons do not just carry the tag as best in Africa, they do because they earned it, and their success in Morocco 2024 is a reminder that stepping back doesn’t mean stepping down.
They had a poor run in the CAF Women’s African Cup of Nations three years ago in 2022, and after their failure to even finish in podium places, they embarked on their longest drought without touching the silverware they’ve won several times.
This made them being tagged underdogs by some analysts, even though they made it clear that they wanted their tenth continental title.
The canceled 2020 edition due to COVID-19 meant the Nigerians had to wait seven years to try and reclaim the title following their semi-final penalty shootout defeat to Morocco three years ago.
The Super Falcons had a lot of things missing three years ago. Aside the injuries that haunted their star player Asisat Oshoala for almost the entirety of the tournament, their lack of belief also played a significant role in their failure.
The then coach Randy Waldrum had assured fans that the girls would go out there and give their best, and that their goal was to at least reach the semi-finals so a place in the FIFA World Cup could be secured.
Unfortunately, his comments would result in a disastrous outing as the team completely switched off after securing progression to the semi-finals, and had the World Cup ticket locked in. They went on to lose the semis to Morocco and even the third place playoff to Zambia.
However, heading into the 2024 edition, when more than a couple of nations were starting to believe all the heavyweights were on level grounds, Nigeria put out a statement of distinction, and that, they went all the way to achieve.
How Super Falcons Rewrote the Narrative in WAFCON
Last time out, lack of self-belief impacted the outcome but this time the reverse was the case. Self-belief was what propelled them to the title, one that sees them become the first team ever to reach double digits of women’s continental titles.
Rasheedat Ajibade balled out in 2022 but due to the heavy reliance on the seasoned players, the team lacked real collective threat as she was the only spark due to the lack of fitness and then absence of Asisat Oshoala.
But this time, everyone had the same level of commitment. From Chiamaka Nnadozie in goal to the outfield players and even those on the bench who made telling contributions. That’s an example of how to teamwork.
And Ajibade, named player of the tournament, finally earned the reward for her brilliance three years ago, in the same country.
Yet, amidst all the good teamwork, an individual might have been the real difference maker, even though she didn’t really get the flowers she deserved. Esther Okoronkwo.
Esther Okoronkwo | Nigeria’s Jewel and WAFCON 2024 Standout
Some comeback for Esther. After scoring her maiden international goal in Nigeria’s final qualification game for the 2022 edition, she missed the tournament due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, which sidelined her for almost a year, from April 2022.
She returned for this edition but was not considered a starter ahead of the tournament, and even started all three group games on the bench, making vital contributions when subbed on.
Esther Okoronkwo assisted Nigeria’s only second-half goal in the 3-0 win over Tunisia in the opening game and literally set up the lone goal in the second game after coming off the bench at halftime, when her shot in the 89th minute was spilled by Botswana goalkeeper, and Chiwendu Ihezuo fired home the rebound from close range.
She finally received her first start in the quarter-finals, inspiring a massive 5-0 win over Zambia by scoring one and assisting two others, as Nigeria matched the record for the biggest knockout stage win in Women’s AFCON since 2002.
The semi-finals proved a much more difficult test as they conceded for the first time in the tournament after Linda Montlhalo’s penalty canceled out Rasheedat Ajibade’s opener from another penalty just before the interval.
With the end of the game approaching, Esther Okoronkwo was again responsible for assisting Michelle Alozie’s long and awkward shot that ended in the back of the net and proved the match-winner in added time.
A bigger adversity awaited in the final but for the brilliance of Esther, Nigeria staged the biggest comeback in women’s AFCON final history to overcome the host, who had taken a 2-0 lead at halftime, and looked on course for their first-ever continental title.
It was as though they knew their onions against the record winners having already beaten them in the semi-final in the last edition. But whatever the Falcons were missing that night, Esther Okoronkwo was here this time, and she made up for it.
Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaa Mssoudy gave the Atlas Lionesses a 2-0 lead in the opening 24 minutes as Nigeria were caught in no man’s land, lacking idea of what had hit them. They struggled to get back in it but nothing was working their way.
The final itself became a mission, one which they have at least 45 minutes to deliver. They returned to the pitch after the break with more purpose, a little bit of desperation but not overly reckless because they knew one more Morocco goal and that’d end their Remontada.
They probed and probed until the hour mark, when Folashade Ijamilusi’s hard work to keep the ball in play was rewarded, as Nouhaila Benzina handled it in the box and was rightfully penalized following a VAR check.
A pressured penalty no one wants to take. And up steps Esther Okoronkwo, who wasn’t even close in the orders of designated penalty takers in the team, and she dispatched a cold penalty, sending the goalkeeper for a hotdog.
Just seven minutes later, Nigeria restored parity as Esther repaid Ijamilusi, who won the penalty, by setting her up with a cutback, for a simple first-time finish.
The second goal downed the spirits of Morocco, who were later awarded a penalty but dismissed following a VAR review, as the strike was too close to the offender, Tosin Demehin, whose hands were also not too far from natural position.
Substitute, Jennifer Echegini fired home a sublime winner two minutes from time, after connecting with an Esther Okoronkwo’s free-kick, as the latter completed a hat-trick of goal involvement in the final.
Esther Okoronkwo proved the difference for Nigeria in the tournament, providing what the team lacked three years ago when she missed out due to injury.
She finished the tournament with two goals and six assists, more goal contributions than anyone, and by extension, more than 12 of the other 14 teams that played in the tournament this year, with only South Africa and Morocco having more.
She was the difference. She made a lot of difference. But kudos to her and all of the team for a job well done. From the goalkeeper, who kept four clean sheets in six games, and conceded just three times in Morocco.
Nigeria | Champions of Africa, Again
Super Falcons rewrote the script on their way to realizing Mission X, beating all the other semi-finalists from the previous edition in their knockout games to secure the trophy in the final.
Under the watch of Justin Madugu, they displayed resilience at every stage and made it look so easy, even in fixtures where pundits had predicted evenly contested affairs.
Beating Zambia, South Africa, and Morocco en route to lifting the trophy, they couldn’t have done it in a better way. And this not only won them their tenth title but also sent a strong message to every country on the continent: there’s a size for every shoe.
The Nigerian women’s national team stands head and heel above any footballing nation in Africa. Their dominance speaks for them. Whether in the old or modern era, they have the pedigree — and even in the future, they will continue to lead African football.
Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
