Michelle Alozie has revealed the emotional turning point that helped the Super Falcons pull off one of the greatest comebacks in WAFCON history, crediting veteran goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi’s passionate half-time speech during the 2024 final against Morocco.
Responding to fans in a Snapchat Q&A held across Wednesday and Thursday, the Houston Dash defender said it was Oluehi’s tearful insistence that Nigeria could not afford to lose that reignited belief in the dressing room after the team went into the break two goals down.
The final in Rabat began disastrously for the Falcons, with Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak scoring a brilliant strike in the 13th minute to give the hosts the lead. The pressure intensified when Ibtissam Jraidi teed up Fatima Tagnaout for a second just before the half-hour mark, leaving Nigeria stunned.
Irrespective of the setback, Oluehi’s emotional address and some key tactical shifts from head coach Justine Madugu, the Nigerian side mounted a remarkable comeback after the restart.
Esther Okoronkwo led the charge, contributing a goal and two assists. At the same time, Folashade Ijamilusi and Jennifer Echegini added goals of their own to seal a dramatic 3-2 victory, earning Nigeria their record-extending 10th continental title.
Reflecting on the final, Alozie described the moment as the proudest achievement of her career so far. When asked to pick her favourite goal of the tournament, she pointed to Echegini’s decisive strike in the final, which completed the comeback against the Atlas Lionesses.
“It has to be Jennifer Echegini’s goal that sealed the win,” she wrote.
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Alozie, 27, played a central role in Nigeria’s title run, most notably scoring the winning goal in the semi-final against South Africa. Her consistent performances earned her a place in the CAF Women’s Best XI, alongside Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie, and Okoronkwo.
The Super Falcons swept the tournament’s awards as well: Ajibade was named Player of the Tournament, Nnadozie claimed the Best Goalkeeper prize, and Madugu was awarded Best Coach, underlining Nigeria’s dominance in the competition.
This victory marked Nigeria’s first WAFCON title since 2018 and further reinforced their legacy as the continent’s most successful women’s national team.
Additionally, the team and crew receive total cash rewards of nearly ₦5 billion.
A victory parade through the streets of Lagos followed on Wednesday, drawing large crowds of fans from Costain to Eko Hotel. However, Alozie was absent from the festivities and expressed her disappointment online.
“I really wish I could’ve been there. Let’s do it again in December, save the date,” she told fans on Snapchat.
Back in the U.S., her club, the Houston Dash, also celebrated her inclusion in CAF’s Team of the Tournament. “Never in doubt,” the club posted. “@alozieee has been named in the @CAFwomen Best XI.”
The Falcons’ triumph in Morocco not only sealed another trophy but sent a clear message across Africa that Nigeria remains the undisputed powerhouse of women’s football on the continent.
