Super Falcons, were honoured in Lagos on Thursday by telecommunications giant MTN Nigeria, following their victorious campaign at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, where they clinched a dramatic 3–2 comeback victory over hosts Morocco on Saturday, July 26, at the Stade Olympique in Rabat, Morocco.
The celebratory breakfast, hosted at Eko Hotels & Suites, was filled with emotion, gratitude, and national pride, as MTN presented the team with a N150 million cash reward in recognition of their historic 10th continental title.
The occasion was graced by dignitaries from the federal government, President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau, Secretary General of the NFF, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, MTN executives, and enthusiastic supporters.
Karl Toriola, hailed the Super Falcons as national icons and role models.
He said, “You are more than athletes, you are inspirations,” he said.
“You are proof that when Nigerian women rise, the world takes notice. At MTN, we believe in the power of connection, not just through technology, but through the soul and spirit of the people, today, we are connected with pride and joy through the unbreakable spirit of the Super Falcons.”
Team captain Rasheedat Ajibade, speaking on behalf of the squad, expressed deep gratitude to MTN and the wider community for their support before, during, and after the tournament.
“Thank you so much, everyone, for coming out today to celebrate with us, we appreciate the board of MTN, the CEOs, and everyone who came out to cheer us last evening when we arrived at your office. Thank you for this special host, we feel valued, we feel honored, and we feel respected. This inspires us to be more, to do better, and to keep inspiring the next generation.” She said.
Mr Peter Obi, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate has congratulated the Super Falcons on their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title, ahead of the host nation Morocco.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Nigerian women’s national football team on Saturday defeated hosts Morocco 3-2 in a thrilling final to extend their continental dominance.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra, in his congratulatory message posted on his X handle on Sunday, said that they were not the first to get it done but the best to ever do it.
According to him, congratulations to our outstanding Super Falcons of Nigeria for becoming the African Women’s Football Champions and winning the 2025 WAFCON.
I watched as our girls never gave up, just as I said before the game, it was an exemplary display of the indomitable Naija spirit.
“This is more than a win, you have shown true dominance in African football.
“From every Nigerian heart across the world, we say thank you for making us proud.
The Chairman of Abuja-based Oramah Football Club & Academy, Dr. Pat Ifeanyi Oramah, has congratulated the Super Falcons for winning the 2024 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco on Saturday.
Oramah, who pledged an incentive of N500,000 for each goal scored in the finals, said he would redeem the N1.5m earned by the Super Falcons for beating their Moroccan counterparts as soon as the Team return to Nigeria with the trophy.
“By winning the 2024 WAFCON, their 10th trophy, the Super Falcons have reconfirmed their pre-eminence in Female football in Africa and given us immense pride and joy as Nigerians”, Dr. Oramah said.
“The fact that they emerged victorious after going 2-0 down in the match, speaks eloquently to their all-conquering spirit and the never-say-never attitude of the average Nigerian,” he added.
He also congratulated the Team Captain, Rasheedat Ajibade and first choice goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, for winning the Player and Goalkeeper of the Tournament respectively, praising the invaluable contributions of the entire team to the special recognition for the two players.
Dr. Oramah equally had special accolades for the Technical crew, especially the Coach Justin Madugu, who was also adjudged the Coach of the Tournament for leading the Super Falcons to victory.
“The fact that Coach Madugu was named the Best Coach of WAFCON 2024 has reaffirmed the depth of quality, expertise and experience of our indigenous Coaches and should be the basis to give them more opportunities in our national football teams”, he said.
The Oramah FC Boss said he was spurred to announce the financial incentives for the final game by the sheer talent and determination shown by the Super Falcons, adding that one of the key reasons behind Oramah Football Club & Academy was to discover and nurture young football talents who can win laurels for the country.
Executive chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission (ESSC) Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has congratulated the Super Falcons of Nigeria for winning the 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title.
Hon Enabulele praised the Super Falcons for overturning a two-goal deficit to defeat hosts Morocco.
He spoke in a statement issued by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko.
Enabulele described the victory as a resounding testament to the team’s resilience, patriotism, and unyielding spirit.
He hailed the Falcons’ consistency and brilliance throughout the tournament and overcoming defending champions South Africa in the semi-finals.
According to him, “Coming from two goals down to beat Morocco and claim a record-extending 10th WAFCON title exemplifies the passion and resilience of a true sports team.
“The Falcons proved they are not just contenders, but the undisputed queens of African football.
“In front of a vibrant, laser-lit crowd at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, the Falcons showed remarkable character. They reached the semi-finals without conceding a single goal — a feat that underscores their dominance on the continent.
He commended the Falcons Head Coach, Justin Madugu, for their dedication and focus to achieving “Mission X” and bringing pride and glory once again to Nigeria.
Nigeria and Zambia senior women national teams will avail each other with a stern examination of credentials on Friday, in one of the most-anticipated Women Africa Cup of Nations matches in the history of the competition.
Nine-time champions Nigeria spent the better part of the 90s and the last decade riding roughshod over continental opposition, but the terrain-walk is no longer a cakewalk as teams like South Africa, Morocco and Zambia, especially in the last four years, have grown in strength, confidence and general organization.
South Africa are the Cup holders, turning the dream of Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses to ashes in the 2022 Final, after defeating the Super Falcons in their first match of the competition, and taking out the energetic Zambians in the semi- finals.
Morocco edged the Super Falcons on penalties in the 2022 semi-final, condemning the nine-time winners to the bronze-medal match, after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
Zambia’s Copper Queens, victimized 6-0 in a group phase match in Namibia in 2014 and 4-0 in another group phase match in Ghana in 2018 by the Super Falcons, bumped Nigeria in the bronze medal-match in Morocco three years ago.
The African women football realm has continued to admit more ambitious sides to the top table, with Senegal, Algeria and Mali not far behind. Although Ghana’s Black Queens have failed to live up to their promise of earlier decades (they were runners-up when Nigeria hosted the tournament’s first edition in 1998), they have now made it through to the quarter-finals this time and should not be discountenanced.
The encounter between Nigeria and Zambia, at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Friday, promises more than just fireworks. There could be lightning and thunder – the type that can happen when two ambitious squads clash and fight to their full capacity.
Nigeria captain Rasheedat Ajibade and Saudi Arabia-based defender Ashleigh Plumptre were selected as part of the Best XI of the group stage, just as Zambia’s trio of Lushomo Mweemba, Barbra Banda and Rachael Kundananji. Others are Algeria’s goalkeeper Chloe N’gazi-Boumrar, South Africa’s Bambanani Mbane, Fikile Magama and Refiloe Jane, Senegal’s Nguenar Ndiaye and Morocco captain Ghizlane Chebbak.
Coach of Nigeria, Justine Madugu, said: “We have our strategies; we have watched them severally and we know what they can do. We’ll work on how to neutralize their strength, so we’re not too bothered by the individual players. We know how good they are, but we’re not bothered. We are getting ready for each game, and we’ll have an antidote on the matchday.”
His opposite number on the Zambia bench, Nora Häuptle, stated: “We are in a comfortable position with five rest days now. It’s a chance to recover, refresh and observe closely. Whoever we face, we will be ready. If you want to reach the Final and win this tournament, you need to beat everyone.”
The statements by the two coaches underscore the importance of this one game that is already being marked down as one of the defining moments of the Women Africa Cup of Nations, with both nations and their motivated stars ready to bring their ‘A’ game to the table.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, and the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hajia Hannatu Musa Musawa, have added their voices to the groundswell of support and motivation for the Super Falcons ahead of the big clash.
The Super Falcons will welcome back midfield ace Deborah Abiodun, suspended for the clash with the Algerians on Sunday, while the spirited Esther Okoronkwo could start for the first time in the tournament alongside the calm but efficient Jennifer Echegini.
There appears to be no easy road ahead again as the winner between Nigeria and Zambia will have to square up to the challenge of Cup holders South Africa or perhaps the exciting Senegalese ladies in Tuesday’s semi-finals.
Algeria’s Lady Fennecs successfully stifled the Super Falcons to earn a scoreless draw in their final group B match of the 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday and earn a spot in the tournament’s quarter-finals for the first time ever.
Head Coach Justine Madugu made eight changes to the squad that started against Botswana in Thursday’s 1-0 defeat of Botswana, with defenders Shukurat Oladipo, Miracle Usani and Sikiratu Isah, midfielders Christy Ucheibe and Jennifer Echegini, and forwards Francisca Ordega, Ifeaoma Onumonu and Chinwendu Ihezuo starting alongside goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Tosin Demehin and captain Rasheedat Ajibade.
The intention was clear, which was to rest a lot of key players ahead of Friday’s potentially-explosive quarter-final encounter against Zambia’s Copper Queens.
In Casablanca on Sunday, Algeria, like Botswana before them, threw women behind the ball in numbers, and stymied the play of the Super Falcons. However, Francisca Ordega was vibrant, as she was against Portugal in the friendly match in Lisbon last month. Her cross just before half time spilled to Ifeoma Onumonu, whose effort was blocked before it got to the brilliant goalkeeper Chloe N’gazi Boumrar.
In the 52nd minute, a melee ensued in the Algerian box but the ball would not just not in, and three minutes later, Ordega, unselfishly, laid the ball in the path of Ajibade, who was double-teamed off the ball.
Later on, Echegini, Ordega and substitute Esther Okoronkwo made efforts, but it ended scoreless and ensured the Lady Fennecs’ progress to the last eight.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled “Born Winners” as the official slogan for the 2024 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, a bold affirmation of the growing movement within African women’s football.
The slogan resonates with Nigeria’s Super Falcons and aligns with the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) “Mission X” campaign, which was launched in June 2025 to inspire the team’s pursuit of continental glory.
“Mission X” aims to rally overwhelming support for the Super Falcons as they pursue a historic 10th continental title. With its bold and unequivocal messaging, the campaign positions the Falcons not merely as contenders but as the definitive benchmark, serial champions with an inherent legacy of triumph.
CAF’s new “Born Winners” slogan appears to be a continental reflection of this same defiant spirit. The governing body states that the slogan celebrates “fearless, powerful and purpose-driven women” who are actively transforming African football.
This description, however, finds its most profound embodiment in the Super Falcons, a team that has commanded African women’s football for over three decades, thriving on a unique blend of raw talent, unwavering resilience, and the sheer weight of their illustrious history. The synergy between CAF’s new motto and Nigeria’s established narrative underscores the Super Falcons’ enduring impact on the sport across the continent.
The timing of both slogans, CAF’s continental branding and Nigeria’s team-specific rallying cry speaks volumes. While CAF’s rollout arrives just days before the opening match in Rabat, Nigeria’s Mission X had already set the tone, driving online conversation, engaging fans, and re-establishing the Falcons’ rightful place as the team to beat.
In many ways, this is not the first time the NFF has sparked continental influence. From player welfare advocacy to grassroots development ideas, Nigeria’s sheer presence on and off the pitch has often nudged the African game forward. The adoption of Born Winners feels like a subtle nod to the cultural current Nigeria set in motion.
More than that, it is symbolic. In Mission X, the Falcons are cast as warriors on familiar ground, defending a legacy. In Born Winners, CAF has given that same spirit a continental face. It’s a meeting point between national conviction and African ambition.
With WAFCON 2024 kicking off in Morocco this weekend, Nigeria will turn up not just with a slogan, but with a statement. Their mission is clear, their identity unshaken. And if imitation is indeed the sincerest form of flattery, then Mission X has already scored.
