Nigeria beats Morocco to win record-extending 10th Women's AFCON title
It was a record-extending 10th triumph for Nigeria, confirming its 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 winger Sanaa Mssoudy scored in the first half hour to see the home team take a surprise lead as it 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 spilled 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.
ALSO READ: ENG vs ESP, Women's EURO 2025 final - Spain's style up against England's will in title clash
Ijamilusi's cross struck defender Nouhaila Benzina on the hand, but Nigeria was only awarded a penalty after a VAR review. Okoronkwo tucked away the spot kick to reduce the score in the 64th minute.
Seven minutes later, it was level as Okoronkwo powered her way through the Moroccan defence before unselfishly squaring for Ijamilusi to tap the ball home.
Morocco was then awarded a penalty with 10 minutes remaining in another contentious handball call, but this was overturned after the referee was asked to review.
A crestfallen home team was then caught out as Echegeni raced onto the ball and tucked it away from close range for a dramatic winner.
Nigeria has now won 10 of the 13 editions of the tournament and re-established its continental dominance after having ceded the title to South Africa at the last edition in 2022.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Pink Villa
2 hours ago
- Pink Villa
India wins Oval Test against England: Twitterati can't keep calm for Mohammed Siraj, says 'Karma delivered, redemption earned'
In a thrilling match, India secured a big win against England at the Oval. Led by Shubhman Gill from the front, India won the Test cricket by 6 runs. With this solid comeback, India levelled the 5-match series at 2-2. Mohammad Siraj turned the biggest trump card, who took a 5-wicket haul, with 3 wickets coming in the final match today. "I was just thinking that I should bowl in the right areas. To be honest, I didn't think that I would take the (Brook) catch and step on the rope. It was a match-changing moment. Yes, I always believed myself that I will do it for the team,' said Siraj on winning the crucial match. Netizens started pouring love over the Indian cricket team and hailed Mohammad Siraj for the historic win. A fan wrote, "This series will be remembered like the BGT win back in 2021 ... Absolute cracking moments and situations for what TEST cricket is alive. Series may be drawn (2-2) but both the teams played with total perfection...." A second user wrote, "What a Comebacks from 301/3 to 367/10 Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj done the job.. This young team has proved their, potential !!Well done CAPTIAN SHUBHAM GILL. Ravindra Jadeja is one of the best allrounder #OVALTEST Test Cricket England vs India." A third social media user wrote, "What a fightback! Team India showed what real Test cricket is all about – grit, passion, and patience. They didn't just play… they fought and conquered! Series leveled – THIS is why we love Test cricket." Another fan remarked, "Never ever, ever underestimate the Indians. From the jaws of defeat, Team India snatched victory again — against England. Well played, champions. And a special salute to Mohammed Siraj — relentless, fearless, outstanding."
Pink Villa
2 hours ago
- Pink Villa
Inside Mohammed Siraj's Hyderabad Bungalow: Indian cricketer who once lived under tough financial troubles, now owns Rs 13 crore home
India's star pacer Mohammed Siraj has been grabbing headlines for his outstanding performance in the India vs. England fifth Test match at the Oval. Siraj took a five-wicket haul, including three wickets on the final day, bringing a stunning win for Team India. Let's take a look at the house tour of the star fast bowler, who once lived through tough financial troubles. A peek into Mohammed Siraj's luxurious mansion in Hyderabad Mohammed Siraj lives with his family in Hyderabad in a locality that is home to many high-profile celebrities and cricketers. His luxurious abode, which is reportedly valued at approximately Rs 13 crore, is located in the Jubilee Hills area of the city. His residence is spacious and modern, with a pinch of luxury with comfort. While Siraj doesn't flaunt his mansion on social media much, glimpses of his residence stole the limelight when he hosted his Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) teammates for a Hyderabadi biryani dinner in 2018. RCB players, including Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis, were invited to the dinner. Unique center table of wooden trunks in living room Mohammed Siraj's main living area features lavish, brown leather sofas. It also has a unique center table, made from wooden trunks. The living area is designed to be a perfect space for relaxing and hosting guests. Special trophy wall for awards and other accomplishments The cricketer has a special trophy wall inside his abode, which is positioned behind the couch in his room. It showcases a collection of awards and honors that he has earned in his career. It serves as a compelling testament to Siraj's remarkable accomplishments in the cricketing world. Siraj also has a stylish and extensive walk-in wardrobe at his mansion, a dedicated space for his collection of luxury clothing and branded shoes. Born in Telangana, Mohammed Siraj hails from a Hyderabadi Muslim family. He had humble beginnings. The cricketer used to live in Tolichowki, a neighborhood in the city. While Siraj's father, Mirza Mohammed Ghaus, was an auto rickshaw driver, his mother, Shabana Begum, is a housewife. He also has an elder brother named Mohammed Ismail, who is an engineer by profession.
Deccan Herald
3 hours ago
- Deccan Herald
Siraj-inspired India dash England hopes, share series
The newly-coined Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy never had a dull moment with fortunes fluctuating back and forth, and the fifth Test here on Monday too witnessed intense drama before India held their composure brilliantly to score a famous six-run win over hero, and deservedly so, of the incredible victory that helped India share the spoils 2-2 with England, was the lion-hearted Mohammed Siraj. Inspired after downloading an image of his icon Cristiano Ronaldo with the word 'Believe' on the morning, the Hyderabadi dished out a spellbinding display to script a win for the ages for India in front of a sell-out crowd at The 35 runs to defend four wickets to be taken on the final morning, Siraj (5/104) bagged three in 4.1 scorching overs — Karnataka's Prasidh Krishna (4/126) scalped the other one — to not just turn the famous South London venue into a cacophony of noise but an entire country that was glued in front of their televisions on a busy Monday evening, screaming in delight and ecstasy..'Learning' Gill passes the first big test .In a way, the 2-2 result was a just reflection of how hard-fought the series had been between both sides, where no quarter was given and none was asked. At times it turned acrimonious but no one crossed the line, both teams showing great respect for each other after the battles were done and should have won the series opener at Headingley, but their failure to seize the vital moments saw England romp home in a record chase. India then hit back at Edgbaston before England held their composure in a slow-burning Lord's cracker. .The template continued at Old Trafford, where England were in command for four days, but a heroic century from Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar helped India pull off an incredible draw, setting the stage for a riveting climax. And the finale lived up to all the hype, all five days filled with drama, before India held their nerve and found the verve to nick it at the end. The series proved why Test cricket is the ultimate challenge -- alive and kicking.
