We never gave up - Super Falcons boss Madugu proud after WAFCON triumph

Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu praised his team’s extraordinary resilience following their thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over hosts Morocco in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final.

The West Africans found themselves trailing 2-0 within 24 minutes, overwhelmed by Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaa Mssoudy, who dominated the first half. Facing a daunting deficit, Nigeria appeared second-best, but Madugu’s bold second-half substitutions of Omorinsola Babajide and Jennifer Echegini shifted the momentum.

The tactical overhaul paid dividends, with Esther Okoronkwo converting a penalty, Folashade Ijamilusi leveling the score, and Echegini netting a dramatic 88th-minute winner to clinch Nigeria’s record-extending 10th WAFCON title.

Madugu emphasized his players’ mental fortitude as the cornerstone of the triumph.

“If they didn’t have mental resilience, they would have given up,” he said. “But they kept believing, and they earned this victory.”