Queens of Africa soccer

July 31, 2025 by Lawal Ogienagbon

On Saturday, the Super Falcons came from behind to beat the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco to lift the Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) trophy for the 10th time. Our girls were already two goals down in the first 27 minutes of the game. Many watching would have lost hope and assumed that it is all over. The final of any competition is not easy to play. Be it soccer, as in this instant case, table tennis, volleyball, hockey or badminton, the players are cautious and calculating as they do all they can to avoid mistakes.

They hate to concede early goals or lose cheap points. But when they do, they fall back on their  reserve energy to redeem themselves. Our girls did just that when they refused to give up. To equalise two goals and score a third to win is the stuff of which soccer legends are made. Nigeria is good at coming back to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Remember, Damman Miracle in Saudi Arabia when Nigeria’s Under 20 team came from four nil down to beat USSR in the FIFA World Youth Champioship? As the saying goes, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. The girls got going, and their resilience paid off. They were awarded a penalty in the run of play and Esther Okoronkwo converted her chance, with a superb spot kick.

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The goal paved the way for the two goals that followed. Esther assisted the scorers of both goals. She deservedly got the Player of the Match award. Once again, it was Nigeria’s finest hour on the continental soccer stage. Ahead of the competition, the team had tagged its campaign: Mission X (to win the 10th trophy). They accomplished the mission in style, leaving the Moroccans and their home fans stunned at the end of the game in  regulation time.