Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu led the football-mad nation in celebrating the women’s squad after a stunning comeback to win a record-extending Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The 3-2 victory against hosts Morocco in Rabat confirmed the west Africans as the queens of women’s football in Africa as they pulled off a 10th title in 13 editions.
Tinubu said the team’s “spectacular performance… exemplifies the determination that defines the Nigerian spirit”.
The Super Falcons staged a remarkable comeback from being two goals down to beat Morocco on Saturday night.
Tinubu Praises Nigeria’s WAFCON Victory Amidst Economic Challenges
“You have lifted our spirits. You are a pride to your generation,” Tinubu told the team in a post-match video call.
“You have achieved the mission the nation dreamed of and prayed for. Nigeria celebrates you.”
Dubbed Mission X, the WAFCON title was a tonic for many Nigerians enduring the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation as the government carries out reforms.
Nigerians Find Momentary Relief and Hope in Falcons’ Victory
Muhammad Awwal, a taxi driver who relocated to the northern city of Kano to escape the violence of Borno state, the epicentre of the jihadist insurgency, hailed the Falcons for helping Nigerians to “momentarily forget our common problems”.
“Everywhere people erupted in celebration after the final whistle. All our problems were drowned in the frenzy of celebration of the spectacular win,” Awwal told AFP.
“Last night all the problems tormenting us – the high cost of living, banditry and Boko Haram violence – disappeared.
“It was a great relief, thanks to the Falcons,” he said.
Abuja housewife Comfort Zamani, agreed: “Life has not been easy, but at least the girls helped us to forget the hardships even if for only a few hours,” she told AFP.
“They have given us some hope that we should keep fighting and not give up even when things are rough.”
Nigeria’s Super Falcons Celebrate Historic WAFCON Victory with Last-Minute Triumph
In the densely-populated neigbourhoods of Dako, Kabusa and Galadimawa of the Nigerian capital Abuja, loud cheers tore through the late night to celebrate Nigeria’s two comeback goals.
But the loudest cheers were heard when substitute Jennifer Echegini swept home a free kick with only two minutes left on the clock for the championship-winning goal, and then at full time.
Sunday newspaper carried front page headlines such as “Unstoppable Falcons win 10th WAFCON from two goals down” and “Super Falcons rule Africa again”.
Chairman of the country’s supporters club Vincent Okumagba further congratulated the players “for accomplishing ‘Mission X’” and for for “not giving up when they were down”.
AFP
