THE Super Falcons’ stirring fightback in the 13th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final against hosts Morocco last night will motivate the Super Eagles in their remaining 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau believes.
Gusau was in attendance at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat as the Super Falcons came from two goals down in the first half to stage a remarkable comeback and beat Morocco 3-2 to win a 10th WAFCON, completing ‘Mission X’.
“I am very happy because our girls rose from the ‘dead’, as they say, and fought to victory. This was an extraordinary performance. I congratulate them for their resilience, doggedness, patriotism and the blatant display of the well-known Nigerian spirit,” Gusau said.
“This victory, and the spirit behind it, will have positive implications for the men in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying series.
“We have four more matches to turn the table against our opponents, and watching the Super Falcons tonight, and how they turned things around, underscores again the wise saying that in sport and in life, it is never over until it is over.”
Gusau commended the fighting spirit of the Super Falcons, applauding them for their impressive tally of 14 goals for and only three against, and performances that earned a clutch of individual awards.
“From the coaching crew to the team captain and the players, we say thank you and well done,” he added.
“With a commanding triumph in the Women AFCON once again, what is left for us to target now is conquering the world at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.”
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade was voted Player of the Tournament while goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie won the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award. Coach Justin Madugu was named Coach of the Tournament.
Super Eagles’ quest for an increasingly unlikely 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket resumes in September, when they host the Amavubi of Rwanda before flying to South Africa to play Bafana Bafana.