Mission X: Gusau Hails Falcons’ Triumph, Says It'll Inspire Eagles in World Cup Race

By Emmanuel Chibuzor Orji - Topstriker, Sports Editor

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July 27, 2025, 4:30 p.m.

The Super Falcons’ astonishing come-from-behind triumph in the 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations final match against hosts Morocco on Saturday will serve as a motivating metaphor for the Super Eagles in their remaining 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, according to NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau. Gusau was super-elated inside the Stade Olympique du Rabat on Saturday night as the Falcons came from two goals down in the first half to mount a spirited fightback and eventually subdue hosts Morocco 3-2 in a memorable Women AFCON final match. “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. “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 awesome fighting spirit of the Falcons, applauding them for their impressive tally of 14 goals for and only three against, and virtuoso 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. 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.” The Super Falcons were magnificent in their six matches, particularly in overpowering three teams that defeated them in a worst-ever performance at Africa’s flagship competition three years ago. In 2022, Zambia pipped the Falcons to the bronze medals, but this time were handed a 5-0 hiding in the quarter finals. Same year, South Africa edged Nigeria 2-1 in a group stage match, but this time got punished by the same scoreline in a semi final match. And Morocco, who defeated Nigeria on penalties in a dramatic semi final in 2022, were overhauled in this year’s final. 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. Nigeria’s chase of a 2026 FIFA World Cup finals ticket resumes in September, when they host the Amavubi of Rwanda before flying to South Africa to play the Bafana Bafana.

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The potentially-explosive Match-day 8 encounter is expected to have enormous implications for which team will eventually win the only ticket from Africa’s qualifying group C to the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.

Mission X accomplished as Super Falcons lift 10th African title in Morocco

Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses had the full-capacity Stade Olympique de Rabat breathing heavily after a superlative opening performance that saw them take a two-goal lead after 24 minutes of the explosive encounter.

MISSION X: SUPER FALCONS TARGET 10TH AFRICAN TITLE IN RABAT

The presence of hosts Morocco guarantees a full house at the magnificent facility in Morocco’s administrative capital, but the Super Falcons will be in no mood to be brow-beaten or shouted out of sync as they fight to pick up a record 10th title.

MISSION X: WE ARE FOCUSED ON LIFTING WAFCON TROPHY - MADUGU

Nigeria will go up against hosts Morocco at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat from 9pm on Saturday night, in what has been labelled as the most-anticipated match of the 13th Women AFCON – a clash of the dominant power and one of the emerging powers of women’s football on the continent.

MISSION X: NIGERIA’S CAPTAIN, AJIBADE INCHES TOWARDS ‘PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT’ AWARD

The lithe and self-effacing Nigeria leader is also highly motivated by the fact that the Super Falcons have never lost a final match at the Women AFCON, going back to the first competition that Nigeria hosted in 1998.

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