When Justine Madugu was named Nigeria’s new coach in September last year, many were surprised. He had no prior experience as a head coach in international football before taking the job.
But on Saturday, that so-called “gamble” paid off when the Super Falcons staged a stunning comeback from 2-0 down to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the Womenâs Africa Cup of Nations final at Rabatâs Olympic Stadium.
Nigeria had struggled in the group stage, drawing criticism at home for looking disjointed and uninspired. Yet, two wins over Tunisia and Botswana, along with a draw against Algeria, saw them top their group without conceding a single goal.
Madugu admitted his team was “a work in progress” but remained confident they would achieve what Nigerians call “Mission X”âwinning their 10th Wafcon title. Saturdayâs victory proved his faith in the team and his coaching approach was well placed.
Nigeriaâs players celebrate with the trophy in Rabat. (Photo: Abdel Majid Bziouat/AFP/Getty Images)
“Iâve always believed in taking each game as it comes and adapting to the opponent,” the 61-year-old said. “When we make mistakes, we correct them to get the result we want.”
Nigeria are far ahead in Wafcon titlesâonly Equatorial Guinea (twice) and South Africa have also won it. In 2016, the Super Falcons matched Egyptâs menâs team with seven Afcon titles. A 1-0 win over Cameroonâs Indomitable Lionesses in YaoundĂ©, in front of a hostile crowd, put them ahead as Africaâs most successful team.
“That final against Cameroon, on their home turf, was unforgettable,” said former Nigeria captain Desire Oparanozie, who worked as a TV analyst during this yearâs tournament. “Scoring the winning goal to lift the trophy was incredible. Playing against a home crowd in a final and coming out on top is always specialâyouâre battling the fans too.”
“Thereâs no better way to describe how dominant the Super Falcons are. Theyâve proven themselves time and again,” Oparanozie added. “What drives them is their hunger for success. They have a winning mentality and want to keep ruling African football. Thatâs what pushes them in every final.”
Folashade Florence Ijamilusi celebrates after scoring for Nigeria in the final. (Photo: Abdel Majid Bziouat/AFP/Getty Images)
Keeping Nigeriaâs perfect 10-out-of-10 record in Wafcon finals was no easy task for Madugu, especially against Moroccoâs coach Jorge Vilda, formerly of Spain.
When Morocco went 2-0 up within 24 minutes through goals from captain Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaa Mssoudy, Madugu was visibly animated, urging his players to keep possession and pressure the hosts.
The introduction of PSGâs Jennifer Echegini and Romaâs Rinsola Babajide in the second half sparked Nigeriaâs attack. “We knew we could turn it around,” Madugu said. “At 2-0 down, we kept telling the players to stay strong. Without mental resilience, they wouldâve given up. We had a big talk at halftime.”
Esther Okoronkwo, arguably Nigeriaâs standout player and named final MVP, said the team had to dig deep. “The first-half goals were unfortunate, but thatâs football,” she said. “We knew we had to fight back, and we did.”In the dressing room, we rallied our fighting spiritâit was all or nothing. The Moroccan team had great chemistry; they were tough opponents.
Rasheedat Ajibade proudly brings the trophy home.
Saturdayâs thrilling final was a fitting end to a successful tournament on the pitch. However, as Desiree Ellis, South Africaâs Banyana-Banyana coach for 11 years, noted, thereâs still room for improvement in the tournamentâs organization.
âI think the scheduling could be better to allow teams enough time to travel and recover,â she said. âThe travel was quite demanding this time, and itâs something CAF should address.â
The good news is that improvements can be made soonâthe next Womenâs Africa Cup of Nations will be held next year, once again in Morocco.
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