Nigeria’s Esther Okoronkwo has spoken of the sheer determination that drove the Super Falcons to a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Morocco in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final on Friday night.
The forward was named Player of the Match after inspiring the Super Falcons with a goal, an assist, and a commanding performance that helped secure Nigeria’s 10th WAFCON title and their first since 2018.
Speaking after the match, a jubilant Okoronkwo acknowledged the challenge posed by the hosts and the emotional turnaround sparked during the half-time break.
Esther Okoronkwo in the post match press conference.Photo Credit: X
“I am very happy to be a champion,” she said. “The first half goals were unfortunate. It happens in football. When we went to the locker room, we gathered the fighting spirit, because it was all or nothing.”
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Trailing 2-0 at the hour mark, Nigeria clawed their way back with Okoronkwo converting a penalty before setting up Folashade Ijamilusi for the equaliser.
Photo Credit: Justina Aniefiok
With just a minute left in regulation time, her precise delivery found Jennifer Echegini, who sealed the comeback and sent Nigerian fans into wild celebration.
While basking in Nigeria’s success, Okoronkwo was full of praise for the Moroccan side, who pushed the Super Falcons to their limits.
“The Moroccan team has chemistry,” she noted. “They were a tough team.”
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Morocco, playing in their second consecutive WAFCON final, were hoping to make history on home soil but were undone by Nigeria’s resilience and Okoronkwo’s relentless brilliance.
