Years to come, what will be remembered as the greatest comeback in African women’s football history, the Super Falcons of Nigeria stunned the continent by overturning a 2-0 halftime deficit to defeat host nation Morocco in the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Against all odds, Nigeria’s “Mission X” came to life, silencing a packed noisy home crowd and defying expectations to clinch yet another continental crown.
The 10th for the West African country. Nigeria pulled off a stunning second-half comeback to defeat host nation Morocco 3-2 at the Stade Olympique in Rabat on July 27th Saturday night.
Trailing 2-0 at half-time, the Super Falcons showed why they remain Africa’s most formidable women’s football side.
With grit and precision, they clawed their way back into the game, netting three second-half goals through Esther Okoronkwo, Folashade Ijamilusi, and a dramatic late winner by Joe Echegini.
The final was a true classic pitting Morocco’s golden generation, hungry for a first continental title on home soil, against a Nigerian side with unmatched pedigree and championship spirit.
While the Atlas Lionesses impressed early on, the Falcons’ experience ultimately proved decisive, silencing the home fans and reaffirming Nigeria’s reign as the undisputed queens of African football.
Nigeria’s impressive run at the tournament saw the country sweep up most of the tournament awards. Rasheedat Ajibade Nigeria’s captain was the most valued player of the tournament.
Best goalkeeper went to Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie. The Coach of the tournament went o Falcon’s head coach, Justin Madugu. Ghizlane Chebbak of Morocco won the golden boot with 5 goals and Fair Play Awardwent to South Africa.
While the final may have ended, we take a look at seven takeaways from the just concluded 2024 Women Africa Cup of Nations.
1. Nigeria’s Never-say-die spirit
The Super Falcons’ came into the tournament with little expectations following their poor preparation and the hopes of many were dashed despite the Mission x campaign. Nigeria’s comeback from 2-0 down to beat Morocco 3-2 in the final reinforces their legacy as Africa’s most dominant women’s football team.
In front of a hostile home crowd in Rabat with laser lights in the face of Nigerian players, Nigeria showed exactly why they’ve won this tournament a record ten times. Their mental toughness and refusal to back down under pressure were on full display.
Trailing by two goals at halftime, many teams would have crumbled but not Nigeria. Justine Madugu’s side responded with composure and class, led by impactful substitutions and a clinical attacking response. Esther Okoronkwo, Folashade Ijamilusi, and Joe Echegini were at the heart of the fightback.
This victory wasn’t just about lifting another trophy; it was about reaffirming Nigeria’s dominance on the continent and sending a clear message to rising challengers. Their incredible turnaround in the final is destined to go down as one of the greatest moments in WAFCON history.
2. Laser Pointer Abuse still a problem CAF must address
One of the most troubling scenes at WAFCON 2024 was the continued misuse of laser pointers by fans an issue that disrupted play and posed potential danger to players on the pitch.
Several players were visibly affected during key moments of high-pressure matches, particularly in the knockout stages.
The use of laser pointers, aimed at players’ faces to distract or disorient them, is not only unsportsmanlike but also threatens the integrity of the competition.
What makes the situation more alarming is that this is not a new phenomenon. Laser pointer abuse was rampant during the 2022 edition of WAFCON and has also been observed in several other CAF competitions, especially in North African stadiums.
Despite widespread attention and criticism from players, coaches, and fans alike, CAF has yet to implement a clear or effective policy to curb this act.
In many of these instances, lasers have been used as part of a larger set of intimidation tactics by some fan bases, particularly during matches involving North African teams.
While not officially classified as an offence under CAF regulations, the deliberate targeting of players with lasers creates an unfair advantage. It is baffling that, three years after it became a major talking point, CAF has not taken concrete disciplinary or preventive measures.
For African football to progress, particularly at the women’s level where visibility and respect are still being solidified, issues like this must be urgently addressed.
CAF needs to enforce stricter stadium surveillance and penalties for such actions. What is currently treated as a fan gimmick needs to be reclassified as a serious breach of sporting ethics. The game deserves better, and so do the players who give everything on the pitch.
3. Morocco is becoming a continental powerhouse
Despite falling short in the final, Morocco at WAFCON 2024 are more than just strong competitors, they are now central to the African women’s football conversation.
With back-to-back final appearances in 2022 and 2024, the Atlas Lionesses have proven their transformation is no fluke. Their rise has brought new tactical dimensions, modern coaching methods, and a surge in local support in their matches has changed the narrative around North African women’s football.
Morocco’s golden generation, spearheaded by a mixture of homegrown talent and diaspora stars, has inspired a wave of confidence and national pride.
The Moroccan team ran to the final particularly in front of a roaring home crowd was not only emotionally stirring but also symbolic of the investment and seriousness now being placed on the women’s game in the region.
Their rise has also raised conversations about the balance of power in African women’s football. With Nigeria still dominant and South Africa consistent, Morocco’s ascent adds a third pillar to the conversation.
4. Scanty stadiums at Non-Host Matches Show Wider Continental Gaps
One of the stark realities of WAFCON 2024 was the sight of largely empty stands during matches not involving the host nation. While Morocco’s games were well attended, matches involving other Countries saw poor turnout, a persistent issue in African tournaments not just the WAFCON.
In contrast, the UEFA Women’s EUROs in Europe regularly fill large stadiums regardless of who is playing, an indicator of better mobility, fan engagement, and economic strength.
A major part of the problem lies in Africa’s struggling economies, which make it difficult for fans to travel, even within their own sub-regions.
The African Union has yet to implement the kind of effective integration seen in the European Union, which allows seamless travel and cheaper intra-European flights.
For many African supporters, attending a match in a neighboring country involves costly flights, lengthy visa processes, and heavy financial burden.
In the EU, a fan can attend multiple matches across borders with a single visa and minimal travel expenses. That same fan experience is nearly impossible for most Africans. These structural challenges mean that, beyond host cities, the joy of continental tournaments often diminishes. Fans want to support their teams, but the system makes it difficult.
SOLUTION
The solution lies in stronger AU collaboration, government support for regional transport systems, and CAF-led fan mobilization strategies.
Creating continental fan zones, subsidized ticketing, and visa-free tournament passes could be game changers. Until then, African tournaments may continue to suffer from patchy attendance that undermines the visibility and atmosphere of major fixtures.
5. New breakout stars at the Center stage
The 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) provided a opportunity for a new generation of stars to shine, with several young players stepping up at the continental showpiece.
Among them was Congo’s dynamic forward Naomi Kanjinga, who wasted no time in announcing herself by scoring a sixth-minute goal against hosts Morocco.
Though the Leopards exited early, Kanjinga’s flair, confidence, and attacking intent signaled the arrival of a player who could be central to Congo’s future ambitions.
Algeria’s Ghoutia Karchouni brought a different kind of spark to the tournament. At 30, the France-born midfielder is not a newcomer to elite football, having previously represented France at youth level and played for Clubs like Boston Breakers and Paris FC.
But her recent switch to Algeria in 2023 has proven to be an inspired choice. Her leadership, vision, and European experience added depth to the Algerian side.
While her expressive personality made her a standout presence both on and off the pitch, she could be a crucial member for Morrocco at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Mali’s Saratou Traore also emerged as one of the tournament’s exciting prospects. Composed on the ball and confident in her decision-making.
Traore showed maturity beyond her years in midfield, controlling the tempo of matches and contributing significantly to Mali’s progress.
Her performances suggest she is ready to carry the team’s midfield mantle for years to come, and scouts across Africa and Europe will no doubt have taken notice.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s Ronnel Donnelly seized her moment with a memorable debut tournament for the reigning champions.
Having made her international bow during WAFCON 2024, the striker opened her goal account against Mali and brought energy to Banyana Banyana’s forward line.
Her rise reflects the depth in South Africa’s talent pool and underlines how WAFCON continues to be a vital platform for nurturing the next generation of African stars.
The tournament also saw breakout performances from players like Folashade Ijamilusi (Nigeria), Sofia Bouftini (Morocco), and Michelle Sesay (Sierra Leone), hinting at a bright future for African women’s football.
6. Poor media pack and information delivery Limits coverage
While WAFCON 2024 had moments of brilliance, it fell short in supporting media professionals covering the event.
Compared to the well-structured media support at the AFCON for men and the ongoing UEFA Women’s EUROs, journalists covering WAFCON had to deal with inconsistent updates, poor matchday resources, and minimal coordination from CAF, especially during the group stages.
Many journalists, particularly from less-funded media houses, were already struggling with the high cost of travel across the continent.
For those who could not be physically present, the lack of real-time information, proper matchday communication, and basic statistics made it difficult to report accurately. This hindered global visibility for the tournament and its players.
*CAF must recognize that media coverage is integral to growing women’s football.
A dedicated online portal, timely updates, high-resolution images, player interviews, and remote access support would go a long way in empowering storytellers and broadcasters to amplify the women’s game.
The gap in media support between WAFCON and other top tournaments is clear and it’s time CAF bridges it.
7. Women’s Football in Africa Is Booming Like Never Before
WAFCON 2024 was more than a football tournament, it was a celebration of how far women’s football in Africa has come.
With increased global attention, better broadcast quality, and real-time digital engagement, this year’s edition proved that the women’s game is no longer an afterthought.
From group stage matches to the grand finale, fans across the continent tuned in through improved live streams and social media platforms, many watching women’s football for the first time and staying hooked.
CAF also signaled its intent to take the tournament seriously by increasing the prize money to $1,000,000, a move that both rewards players’ hard work and helps drive professionalism in the game.
While the figures still pale in comparison to the men’s competition and European counterparts, it marks a clear step forward in the pursuit of equity and recognition. These financial boosts mean more than just bonuses they enable federations and players to invest in better training, development, and grassroots programs.
Perhaps the most symbolic gesture of all was the unveiling of a redesigned WAFCON trophy.
Sleek, modern, and bold, the new silverware reflects the evolving identity of African women’s football, fierce, fresh, and full of promise.
For the Super Falcons of Nigeria, lifting this new trophy after an epic comeback wasn’t just about victory, it was about ushering in a new era.
With growing commercial interest, rising stars, and a tournament now gaining the respect it deserves, WAFCON 2024 showed that the future of African football is just as female as it is bright.
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