Nigeria vs Morocco – WAFCON 2025 Final: Match Recap
In a stunning turnaround, Nigeria’s Super Falcons overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat hosts Morocco 3–2 in a thrilling WAFCON 2025 final held on July 26 at Rabat’s Olympic Stadium.
The Big Picture
This win marks Nigeria’s 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title, extending their record and cementing their continental dominance.
Morocco, playing in front of a raucous home crowd, were aiming to become the first North African nation to lift the trophy—but fell just short.
Match Flow
Morocco surged ahead early, scoring twice in the first half to take a 2–0 lead. Algeria-based midfielder Ghizlane Chebbak and winger Sanaa Mssoudy struck the goals before halftime.
Nigeria responded in the final half-hour with a dramatic rally:
Esther Okoronkwo scored from the penalty spot to open Nigeria’s account
She then provided two crucial assists, setting up goals that levelled the score and sealed the comeback.
Key Players & Moments
Esther Okoronkwo was the heartbeat of the comeback—her presence turned the tide.
Michelle Alozie put Nigeria through to the final with a stoppage-time strike against South Africa in the semifinal, keeping “Mission X” alive—the team’s push for a 10th title.
Rinsola Babajide was captured waving the Nigerian flag in celebration after the final whistle.
Road to the Final
Nigeria topped Group B, then crushed Zambia 5–0 in the quarterfinals, and edged South Africa 2–1 in the semis.
Morocco progressed unbeaten in Group A, beating Mali and Senegal before eliminating Ghana on penalties in the semifinal to reach their first-ever WAFCON final.
The showdown was a replay of the dramatic 2022 semifinal, which Morocco won on penalties in Rabat.
Atmosphere & Stakes
Hosted at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat (21,000 capacity), the final was electric with expectation and national pride in full voice.
CAF had boosted the tournament’s prize fund: $1 million for the champions and $500,000 for runners‑up, reflecting growing investment in African women’s football
What Changed?
Although Al Jazeera’s live blog has closed, a full match report is linked on the original page, and the key takeaway is clear: Nigeria overcame adversity, proving once again why they’re the benchmark in African women’s football.
Final Thoughts
Nigeria’s victory was not just about adding another trophy—it was the story of grit, belief, and seizing opportunity. Morocco’s dream run captured hearts across North Africa, the Atlas Lionesses showing they belong at the top. But when history meets resilience, Nigeria’s record lives on.