President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has described the Super Falcons’ stunning comeback victory over hosts Morocco in the final of the 13th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) as a momentous triumph that will serve as motivation for the Super Eagles in their ongoing FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
Gusau, who was present at the Stade Olympique in Rabat on Saturday night, praised the team’s resilience after they fought back from a two-goal deficit in the first half to defeat Morocco 3-2 and clinch a record-extending title.
“I am very happy because our girls rose from the ‘dead’, as they say, and fought to victory. This was an extraordinary performance,” Gusau said. “I congratulate them for their resilience, doggedness, patriotism and the blatant display of the well-known Nigerian spirit.”
He added that the historic win should serve as inspiration for the Super Eagles, who are struggling in their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign, and have four more matches to play.
“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,” he stated.
Gusau commended the entire Super Falcons squad for their exceptional performance throughout the tournament, noting their remarkable tally of 14 goals scored and only three conceded across six matches. He lauded the coaching crew, team captain Rasheedat Ajibade, and the players for what he termed a “commanding triumph.”
“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,” he said.
Individual accolades also followed the team’s success. Rasheedat Ajibade was voted Player of the Tournament, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie clinched the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award, and Coach Justin Madugu was named Coach of the Tournament.
Meanwhile, attention is turning to the Super Eagles’ World Cup qualification matches in September. Nigeria will host Rwanda’s Amavubi on Saturday, 6 September, before travelling to face South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, 9 September.
FIFA’s Head of Qualifiers and International Matches, Gordon Savic, confirmed that the Nigeria-South Africa clash will be held at the Toyota Stadium, formerly Vodacom Park, which seats 46,000 spectators. Kick-off is scheduled for 4pm GMT (5pm Nigeria time).
With only one ticket available from Africa’s Group C, the match is expected to be decisive in shaping the group’s final standings.
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