Nigeria 3-2 Morocco
By Emmanuel Faith (28/07/2025)
Above: Nigeria celebrate their win. Photo: Backpage Pix.
The WAFCON 2025 Final in Rabat was more than a showpiece, it was a tactical masterclass in adaptation and resilience. Nigeria’s Super Falcons came from two goals down to defeat Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses 3-2 in a contest that underlined the evolving quality and thrill of African women’s football.
Unlike Nigeria’s 2022 semi-final loss to Morocco, where ill-discipline and controversial refeering cost them, this time, the Falcons demonstrated adaptability under pressure. Here’s how the game unfolded tactically.
Starting Shapes and Early Dynamics:
Morocco lined up in a fluid 4-3-3 that morphed into a 2-3-5 in possession.
Full-backs Zineb Redouani and El Haj pushed high, providing width and stretching Nigeria’s midfield. The Atlas Lionesses created numerical superiority in central areas by using Ouzraoui as a dropping pivot, pulling Nigerian midfielders out of position.
Nigeria, on the other hand, started in a conservative 4-4-2 (4-2-3-1 on paper), with Ihezuo playing close to Esther , and Rasheedat Ajibade drifting into the left half-space when they transitioned. Their compactness was effective early in limiting central penetration, but Morocco’s positional play disrupted this block.
Morroco’s first-half Supremacy:
The opening 30 minutes belonged to Morocco. They exploited Nigeria’s reluctance to press high by building patiently through the thirds. Their captain, Ghizlane Chebbak operated as a free eight, constantly receiving between the lines, while Jraidi rotated wide to drag Nigerian center-backs leaving spaces for Ouzraoui and Mssoudy to run into.
The first goal illustrated Morocco’s approach. In the 13th minute, Chebbak received in the left half-space after a diagonal overload. Nigeria’s midfield failed to collapse quickly, and Chebbak’s curling strike punished the gap.
The second goal, in the 24th minute, was a product of structured width and verticality. Jraidi pinned Nigeria’s backline while Mssoudy attacked the blindside, finishing clinically after a perfectly weighted through ball. At 2-0, Morocco’s xG reflected their dominance (1.38 to Nigeria’s 0.12). The game looked settled, but the Super Falcons are called Super Falcons for a reason.
Nigeria’s tactical resurgence:
Coach Justin Madugu’s second-half adjustments flipped the script. Nigeria moved into an aggressive 4-2-3-1 in possession, with Okoronkwo drifting centrally and Ajibade staying high to pin Morocco’s full-backs.
This led to three key changes in football progression. To start with, Nigeria triggered presses off Morocco’s first line, forcing rushed long balls instead of controlled build-up, as Alozie stepped up higher, cutting supply to Chebbak.
Doubling down on this, Nigeria targeted the left half-space behind Benzina, where Okoronkwo repeatedly received progressive passes, holding on to the ball, dragging Morocco’s shape narrow.
Lastly, with Jennifer Echegini and Rinsola Babajide on, and the static Ihezuo off, the wingers made inside runs while full-backs (Alzoie and Plumptre) repeatedly overlapped, stretching Morocco and creating gaps between center-backs. Deborah Abiodun was also everywhere nullifying any potential counter attack from the overlaps.
The equalizer in the 71st minute summed up this tactical shift. Nigeria overloaded Morocco’s left, drew Benzina out, and used a third-man combination to release Ijamilusi, who finished smartly.
Turning Point: VAR, Momentum and Mentality
The 63rd-minute VAR penalty was the ignition point. It allowed Nigeria to reset psychologically and forced Morocco to defend deeper. From that moment, Nigeria dominated duels and second balls. The 79th-minute overturned penalty for Morocco was equally crucial. Instead of reclaiming control, especially, because they were in ascension, the Lionesses grew frantic, breaking their earlier composure. Nigeria, by contrast, sensed vulnerability and pushed for the winner.
The 88th-minute goal from Echegini was no accident. It came from a well-rehearsed set-piece routine designed to exploit Morocco’s zonal marking. Infact, it was a carbon copy of two of the goals scored against Zambia in the quarter-finals.
This was more than a comeback, it was a strategic battle that Nigeria won with intelligence and adaptability. The Super Falcons remain the continent’s benchmark, not just for talent but for in-game flexibility.
For Morocco, the defeat will sting, but their evolution since 2022 is clear. Their positional play, pressing triggers, and structured build-up mark them as a team capable of returning stronger. African women’s football is no longer about physicality alone. It’s about patterns and high-level tactical detail, and this final proved it.
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