A tenth WAFCON title has again underscored the fact that the Super Falcons have outperformed the Super Eagles, who now ought to step up to take their rightful place in the heart of the fans.
At the weekend inside a sold-out 68,000-capacity Olympic Stadium in Rabat, the Super Falcons staged a remarkable comeback from two goals down in the first half to beat home team Morocco 3-2 to reclaim the trophy they last won in 2018.
It again demonstrated their character as well as the remarkable dominance of the most successful national team, men or women, on the continent.
They have now won the Africa Cup ten times – 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2024
The Super Falcons have been ever-present at the FIFA Women’s World Cup for nine straight editions beginning from 1991, when the competition was founded, and reached the last eight in 1999.
They have also featured at four Olympics, reaching a historic quarterfinal in 2004.
Former Chelsea star Mikel Obi said the women should now aim for the World Cup after they have proved their class in Africa.
“I believe it’s time the Nigeria women’s team started targeting the FIFA Women’s World Cup,” said the former Super Eagles captain.
“They’ve already proved their dominance in Africa by winning the women’s Africa Cup of Nations again.
“The only major trophy left for them to conquer is the World Cup.”
Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, said the team have been fully committed to the national cause.
“We give everything, our sweat, our blood when we play for Nigeria. We don’t take this privilege for granted,” she explained
“And we wish to do even more.”
Comparisons of The Super Falcons with their men counterparts, the Super Eagles, are inevitable.
The Super Falcons are widely regarded as the poor sisters of the Super Eagles and so their preparations for the competition in Morocco were shoddy as they could only play a handful of test matches before they landed in North Africa.
They also receive less than half the win bonus and allowances that their big brothers are paid and often these monies are not paid.
In 2016, when they won an eighth Africa Cup at the expense of hosts Cameroon, they had to stage a protest for several days back in Abuja to press for outstanding payments.
Yet, the women have featured in all the World Cups, while the Super Eagles are currently in danger of missing out on a second consecutive World Cup as they languish in fourth place in their qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup with four rounds of matches to be played.
Journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, who has covered both teams, said the women have outperformed the men, but they are the ones who are more often than not neglected.
“In women’s football, Nigeria have been the dominant force in Africa for over 30 years, but we have not been organised and professional around the Super Falcons,” he argued.
“They are owed allowances and bonuses dating as far back as 2021, they are not happy but despite these issues they were only focused on winning the tournament.
“If only they could be given the respect and support they deserve, they are more likely to win the World Cup before the Super Eagles because they have outperformed the Super Eagles in all aspects.”
NFF president Ibrahim Gusau said he now expects the Super Eagles to be inspired by the magical triumph of the women.
“This victory, and the spirit behind it, will have positive implications for the men in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying series,” he said.
“We have four more matches to turn the table against our opponents, and watching the Super Falcons, and how they turned things around, underscores again the wise saying that in sport and in life, it is never over until it is over.”
