Wafcon winner will stay in my heart forever

BBC News

7 hours ago

Jennifer Echegini says her Women's Africa Cup of Nations-winning goal for Nigeria will remain a highlight to look back on for the rest of her career.The 24-year-old midfielder swept home Esther Okoronkwo's free-kick in the 88th minute to complete a stunning second half comeback as the Super Falcons beat hosts Morocco 3-2 on Saturday."I'm just going to carry this moment close to me," she told the BBC World Service."If I'm ever doubting myself as a player, I just think of this to encourage me and give me confidence."It's my first trophy I've ever won in my career, so definitely a memorable one that I'll keep in my heart forever."A record-extending 10th continental title for the West Africans had looked a distant dream at half time, as goals from Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaa Mssoudy put Morocco 2-0 up at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.But Okoronkwo pulled a goal back from the penalty spot midway through the half and then laid on two more goals in a compelling team display of mental strength."We're 2-0 down in the final, it's half-time, you absolutely have nothing to lose," Echegini said."It's either you play with fear and you lose the game or you put everything into the game and you hope you win - and we did so."
President hails 'Nigerian spirit'
Nigeria had dubbed their campaign as 'Mission X', and President Bola Tinubu sent his congratulations to the squad in a video call after the match.He hailed the side's "spectacular" performance as one that exemplifies the "determination that defines the Nigerian spirit"."You have lifted our spirits. You are a pride to your generation," Tinubu told the team."You have achieved the mission the nation dreamed of and prayed for. Nigeria celebrates you."Okoronkwo, who ended the tournament with two goals and six assists, said Nigeria's approach had been "all or nothing" after the break."We knew we had to come up [with a] different strategy. We knew we needed to fight," the forward said."We talked over it in the locker room [and said] we have to change the way we are playing. It just shows resilience in us."Former Super Falcon Desire Oparanozie, herself a four-time Wafcon winner, said her compatriots showed "the mentality of a champion"."I did not expect them to come back in that manner," she told BBC Sport Africa."I think the motivation for them would have been: 'This cannot be the first time we'll lose in a final'."Nigeria have been in the final 10 times and they've won all 10 times. That mental toughness and fight is something else."
'Painful' loss for Atlas Lionesses
Morocco, meanwhile, will have to go back to the drawing board after losing a second successive Wafcon final on home soil.The Atlas Lionesses had hired 2023 Women's World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda in a bid to land their first continental title.Forward Sakina Ouzraoui hopes the side can bounce back ahead of the 2026 edition, which will also be hosted in the North African kingdom."We don't understand what happened, but Nigeria are a good team," she told the BBC World Service."They knew how to change the game and that's why they are the champions."It's painful because we touched this cup with our hands, but not strongly enough."For sure we will come back stronger. We are Morocco, so for sure we will win this cup."