THE Super Falcons produced a stirring, stunning fightback to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in Rabat tonight to win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title.
It is the 10th time the Nigerian ladies have won the tournament in 13 editions, but they had to pull off an epic comeback after looking dead and buried at half-time.
Morocco were 2-0 up within the first 24 minutes through Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaâ Mssoudy.
But second-half goals from Esther Okoronkwo, Folashade Ijamilusu and substitute Jennifer Echegini completed the stunning turnaround for the Super Falcons.
It was a classic game of two halves at the Olympic Stadium in the Moroccan capital as the hosts started brightly and outclassed the serial winners in the first period.
The Super Falcons were punished for an uncharacteristic nervy and error-prone display as Morocco pounced on a mistake to take a deserved lead.
Chebbak curled in a superb finish from the edge of the Super Falcons box past Chiamaka Nnadozie in the 13th minute after Halimatu Ayinde’s tame clearance.
It was Chebbak’s fifth goal of the tournament and one of her best as Morocco entertained the home crowd with some delightful football against the shell-shocked Super Falcons.
Another Super Falcons error led to Morocco’s second goal 11 minutes later, as an Osinachi Ohale slip fed the ball to the slippery Mssoudy in the area, who beat Michelle Alozie before placing the ball beyond Nnadozie.
Morocco continued to toy with the Super Falcons for the rest of the first half as an incensed coach Justine Madugu raged on the sidelines, wondering what happened to his all-conquering stars.
There was an improvement in the Super Falcons performance at the start of the second half, and they were soon rewarded with some good fortune.
Six minutes after the 58th minute introduction of Echejini and Rinsola Babajide for Ayinde, Chinwendu Ihezuo, the Super Falcons were awarded a penalty.
The referee missed the handball by Nouhaila Benzin but VAR caught it, and the impressive Okoronkwo stepped up to haul the Super Falcons back into the contest with a fine spot kick.
The Super Falcons were level seven minutes later, Okoronkwo involved again. The Canada-based forward rampaged through an exhausted Morocco defence and laid the ball on a place for Ijamilusi to tap in her second goal of the tournament.
There was another VAR moment six minutes from time when the referee awarded a penalty to Morocco for a handball by Tosin Demehin.
She was called to the pitchside monitor after a lengthy review and the decision was rescinded.
Echegini then netted the title-winning goal in the 88th minute, diverting home another quality set-piece delivery from woman of the match Okoronkwo.