Daniel Otera
Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu has opened up about the emotional halftime conversation that transformed a two-goal deficit into a historic 3-2 win over Morocco in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final.
Nigeria’s hard-fought victory at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat not only silenced the home crowd but also delivered the country’s 10th WAFCON title further cementing the Super Falcons’ status as the most successful women’s football team in Africa.
Madugu, who was later named Coach of the Tournament, praised his team’s psychological resilience after a difficult first half.
“If they didn’t have mental resilience, they would have given up,” Madugu told journalists after the game. “But they kept believing and they earned this victory.”
The Falcons were trailing 2-0 at the break, but the coach said the dressing room talk shifted the players’ mindset.
“We did a lot of talking at halftime,” the 61-year-old revealed. “We had a game plan, but we made errors that gave them two goals. We had to adjust, both tactically and mentally.”
According to Madugu, the game turned not just because of technical changes, but because of what was said.
“It wasn’t only tactics. I reminded them of who they are champions. I told them Morocco may have the crowd, but we have history, pride and fire.”
His words clearly landed. In the second half, striker Esther Okoronkwo converted a penalty in the 64th minute, then delivered assists for Folashade Ijamilusi’s equaliser and Jennifer Echegini’s late winner.
“The first-half goals were unfortunate. It happens,” Okoronkwo said. “When we entered the dressing room, we looked at each other and said, this is not how our story ends.”
The turnaround stunned the Moroccan crowd and sent Nigerian fans into wild celebration across the country.
Madugu believes the win was more than just a football result it was a statement of character.
“This team showed what it means to fight for your country, for your badge, and for each other. They earned every bit of this title,” he said.
Nigeria’s road to the final included victories over Tunisia, Botswana, Zambia and South Africa, before the rematch against Morocco a side that had knocked them out in the 2022 semi-finals. This time, the Falcons flipped the script.
“We came here to correct history,” Madugu said firmly. “And we did exactly that.”
The result gives Nigeria their 10th WAFCON crown and sends a strong message ahead of the 2026 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers.