Olusegun Adeyemo
Veteran sports commentator, Mr. Shina Abimbola, has hailed the Super Falcons’ thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over Morocco in the final of the 2024 Women Africa Cup of Nations , as a true reflection of Nigeria’s championship pedigree in African women’s football.
Speaking in a telephone interview with The Journal Nigeria, following the dramatic win in Rabat, Mr. Abimbola praised the Nigerian team for showing resilience, experience, and grit to overcome the host nation and lift the trophy for a record tenth time.
“Despite a shaky first half, the Super Falcons rose to the occasion,” he said. “I was initially concerned by their performance, especially with the intimidating support from the Moroccan fans and their home advantage. But in the end, they lost to the true champions of Africa.”
Mr. Abimbola, who has been closely associated with the Super Falcons’ journey over the years, recalled previous memorable moments, including the tournament held in Warri, where Nigeria also emerged victorious.
“I’ve covered the Super Falcons for years. I remember vividly the championship in Warri, where we had a live broadcast throughout the tournament, and Nigeria came out on top. This current win is just another confirmation of their dominance,” he said.
Reflecting on the broader competition, he noted that South Africa posed the only serious challenge in the tournament but still couldn’t derail Nigeria’s quest for their tenth title, often referred to within the team’s camp as “Project X”.
Speaking further, Mr. Abimbola commented on Morocco’s role as hosts and their aspirations to win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), especially as they prepare to host the next edition in 2026.
“Morocco’s passion is clear. Their hosting of the next WAFCON shows their determination to claim the title someday. Maybe they’ll get there if they become more strategic and serious,” he added.
Mr. Abimbola also described some of the tactics employed by Moroccan fans during the match, particularly the use of floodlights to distract Nigerian players as home advantage.
“That’s part of the home advantage, noise, tricks, distractions. But I doubt the Confederation of African Football (CAF) would support such unsportsmanlike conduct,” he said.
He concluded by urging African football lovers to acknowledge Nigeria’s continued dominance in women’s football.