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I’ve always loved football – born into it, how could I not?
Interestingly, I was exposed to the women’s game more than the men’s from an early age, and watching the Super Falcons triumph under the lights in Rabat was pure joy – especially as it felt like a tribute. A nod to legacy, and a celebration of life in memory of Coach Joy Nnenna Etim, who passed away on 31 July, 2024.
She wasn’t just any coach; she was a revolutionary. In choosing a career in a male-dominated sport, she confronted countless obstacles with a resilience that came to define her. True to her spirit of challenging the norm, she enrolled at the National Institute of Sports (NIS), where she made history in 1995 as Nigeria’s first certified female football coach.
Together with her husband, she co-managed the Puma Football Academy, a project that laid the foundation for grassroots football and consistently produced remarkable talent. Their bond was enough to make even Daniel Craig envious.
Coach Joy trained under Professor Yemi Tella at the National Institute of Sports before going on to coach at the Pepsi Football Academy and several clubs, including Beautiful Angels of Abuja, whom she led to the premiership. A former footballer herself, she was part of the preparatory squad for the 1991 Women’s World Cup. She later served as assistant coach of the Super Falcons and, until her passing, remained a tireless advocate for gender equality in sports.
In her memory, and with Mission X accomplished – here are ten unforgettable takeaways from the Super Falcons’ record-setting golden triumph in Morocco.
1. The Crown Still Fits
Before the tournament began, predictions favoured Zambia, South Africa, and the hosts. Many fans even doubted whether the Super Falcons had what it took to reclaim their crown. But with this latest triumph, they’ve reasserted their dominance in African women’s football. On a continent rapidly catching up, Nigeria are still setting the bar. That’s not just legacy – that’s royalty.
2. A Comeback for the Ages
Down 2–0 in a packed Moroccan stadium with tens of thousands cheering against them and illegal laser lights aimed at their eyes – they could have folded. But they didn’t. Instead, they fought back, drawing from that deep well of pride and history. It was bold. It was defiant. And when the third goal hit the net, it felt like destiny had risen, draped in green and white. 3–2. Champions. Again.
3. Esther Okoronkwo: From Bench to Brilliance
She wasn’t the name many expected to steal the spotlight, especially since she didn’t start the tournament as a regular. But by the final, Esther Okoronkwo had etched her name into the hearts of Nigerian fans. Her energy, composure, and decisive impact in the final were undeniable. From the confident stride before calmly converting the 64th-minute penalty to turning provider for the crucial equalizer just seven minutes later, she emerged as the breakout star of the tournament. Every competition births a new hero, and in Morocco, it was Esther’s time to shine.
New tournament. Same goal ?
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Let’s Do It Again, Super Eagles ??? pic.twitter.com/4V91lWcCSN
4. Ajibade Wore the Armband Like a Warrior
Calm, composed, and soft-spoken, there’s hardly anyone more fitting to wear the captain’s armband than Rasheedat Ajibade. And what a leader she proved to be. Like the wind, she was everywhere on the pitch, leading not just with her voice, but with her feet and her fire. She didn’t just wear the armband, she earned it. Voted CAF player of the tournament for a reason.
5. Path to Glory Was No Walkover
This title was hard-earned. Nigeria topped their group without conceding a single goal, then defeated Zambia in the quarterfinals, outlasted fierce rivals South Africa in a nail-biting semi-final, before triumphing over hosts Morocco in a dramatic final. There were no easy matches, no shortcuts. The Falcons took the toughest road and still came out on top. A true champion’s ride for the Super Falcons.
6. The Team
In my tournament Preview, I made it clear that despite Coach Justine Madugu’s omission of certain players, this squad, with its depth, balance, and experience felt like the right mix to restore Nigeria’s supremacy. That belief proved true throughout the competition, as the team, far from collapsing, rediscovered its balance and chemistry, with different players stepping up game after game.
7. Chiamaka Nnadozie Was a Fortress
Goalkeepers rarely steal the spotlight, but Chiamaka Nnadozie was immense. Her command of the box, crucial saves, and calmness under pressure were vital to Nigeria’s survival throughout the tournament – especially against South Africa and Morocco. Though she conceded in both games, she stood firm as a rock, a true last line of defence. Hello, Brighton!
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— Bet9ja: The home of #betBOOM! ? (@Bet9jaOfficial) July 30, 2025
Are you ready to go 1Up?! ?
8. Nigeria’s Never-Say-Die Spirit Is Still Alive
What sets the Super Falcons apart isn’t just skill, it’s mentality. That burning desire to win. The refusal to quit. The power to turn adversity into fuel. Down two goals in a final? No panic. Just fight. You see that spirit every day on the streets of Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Jos.
9. Morocco Hosted – Nigeria Owned the Night
The atmosphere in Rabat was electric. You didn’t need to be inside the Olympic Stadium to feel how intimidating it was for anyone wearing green and white. Moroccan fans came out in full force, believing they were about to witness history. Instead, they watched a masterclass in resilience from Nigeria. The Falcons didn’t just beat a team – they silenced a stadium and a nation. Truly, ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee.’
10. A Nation Celebrates – And Pays Tribute
Just a year earlier, the country lost Joy Nnenna Etim, the first woman to be certified as a football coach in Nigeria, a trailblazer who opened the door for countless others. Her passing left a hole in the coaching community. But this title, won by the daughters of her generation, felt like a tribute written in football. A crowning gift to a pioneer who helped build the very foundation they now stand on.
The Super Falcons’ 10th WAFCON title win in Morocco will go down in history as one of the most emotional and hard-fought. But it’s also one of the most meaningful. Because in the same breath that we celebrate victory, we also celebrate legacy. As the confetti fell and the trophy was lifted in Rabat, it wasn’t just the Falcons who were victorious. It was every woman who laid a brick on the path to this moment – especially Joy Nnenna Etim.
May her legacy live on in every kick, every goal, and every dream this team continues to inspire. Ten titles now sit proudly on their throne – and with the fire still burning in their wings, they’re far from done.
