Nigeria come from two down to be crowned African champions
It was a record-extending 10th triumph for Nigeria, confirming their status as the most successful women's team in Africa.
Esther Okoronkwo and Folashade Ijamilusi led the fight back at Rabat's Stade Olympique before substitute Jennifer Echegini swept home an 88th-minute winner.
Morocco skipper Ghizlane Chebbak and dribbling winger Sanaa Mssoudy scored in the first half-hour to see the home team take a surprise lead as they sought to become only the fourth country to take the continental title after Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.
A capacity crowd saw Chebbak increase her tournament tally to five goals as she fired home from the edge of the area in the 12th minute after Nigeria had failed to clear properly.
Mssoudy's goal came 12 minutes later, after Morocco striker Ibtissam Jraidi had crashed into centre back Marvis Ohale and the ball spilt out for Mssoudy to cut in and finish, but the referee determined there was no foul play and let the second goal stand.
Nigeria dominated play thereafter and forced a succession of set pieces but it took some good fortune to begin their comeback.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald
4 hours ago
- The Herald
Bafana Bafana's huge World Cup clash against Nigeria hosted in Free State
Phase three will kick off on August 16 at R150 for the grandstand area, to be sold at Spar, Postnet and most petrol stations. Both the Lesotho and Nigeria matches will kick off at 6pm. Lesotho will make announcement on how tickets for that match will be sold. Fifa are yet to announce whether South Africa will be sanctioned, potentially with points docked, for fielding ineligible Teboho Mokoena (who should have been suspended) in their 2-0 victory over Lesotho in Polokwane in March. The top teams from nine African groups qualify for the first 48-team World Cup in Mexico, Canada and the US, with four best runners-up going into playoffs for one more place. Bafana drew their away fixture against Nigeria - compounding a disastrous start to the campaign by the Super Eagles - 1-1 in Uyo in June 2024.
The Herald
12 hours ago
- The Herald
Motherwell's Kwayiba aiming high after Pirates move
Growing up under difficult circumstances in Motherwell, Gqeberha, Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates forward Sinoxolo Kwayiba's faith and discipline have seen him soar to the highest level in South African professional football. The former Chippa United forward, at only 25, has already donned the green and gold colours of the national team, earning five caps thus far under the tutelage of Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos. Kwayiba has played two seasons in the country's top-flight league, the Premier Soccer League, as his professional career started taking shape at Chippa United. After an impressive showing for the Chilli Boys, the youngster recently penned a multiyear contract with SA's biggest club, Orlando Pirates. He is the second Motherwell-born youngster to become a Buccaneer in recent times after left-back Bongani Sam blazed the trail a couple of years ago. In an exclusive interview, Kwayiba opened up about how he was able to carve a successful professional career despite early life struggles. He attributed his success to faith and discipline as he defied the odds on his way to signing for the Soweto giants. 'I had a strong belief in God and my ability to play at the highest level. 'I knew that if I wanted to turn my life around, I needed to work harder than any soccer player,' Kwayiba said. 'I made a decision very early that football is the only work I want to do. I ensured that I focused on my schoolwork and football.' Having joined Pirates in the transfer window, Kwayiba travelled with the team to Spain for the preseason. He described his move to Pirates as a dream come true and said he hoped this would give him the best chance of representing the country in the African Cup of Nations and Fifa World Cup. 'Joining Orlando Pirates is a dream come true. I hope and pray that it gives hope to all the children of Motherwell and Gqeberha,' Kwayiba said. '[Signing with Pirates] has changed my life and my family hugely, and the boys [back in Motherwell] should keep working hard in achieving their dreams, be it soccer or any other sport. 'I wish to make the Bafana Bafana Afcon team in Morocco as well as the World Cup team, and for me to achieve that, I need to continue to maintain my goal-scoring form and be consistent.' The 2025/2026 Premier Soccer League is set to get under way on Saturday with the MTN8 competition. Pirates will get the tournament rolling when they face Polokwane City at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto. A week later, the Betway Premiership will also get under way. — SportsBoom
The Herald
2 days ago
- The Herald
Mbappé inherits Real Madrid's No 10 jersey after Modric exit
Kylian Mbappé will follow Real Madrid greats Ferenc Puskas, Clarence Seedorf and Luis Figo by wearing the iconic number 10 jersey after Luka Modric's departure to AC Milan, the LaLiga club said late on Tuesday. The 26-year-old French forward wore the No 9 shirt in his debut season after arriving from Paris St Germain on a free transfer. He scored 44 goals in all competitions in the 2024-25 season, though failed to lift a major trophy. Among the other elite players to wear the No 10 shirt for Real Madrid are Gheorghe Hagi, Michael Laudrup, Robinho and Mesut Ozil. Reuters
