WAFCON D-14: In 1998, Nigeria Secured the Most Resounding Victory in Tournament History Against Morocco
Published: Saturday, 21 June 2025
The countdown continues for the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2024. With just 14 days to go, we look back at a defining moment in the history of African women's football. On 17 October 1998, Nigeria, a rising powerhouse at the time, defeated Morocco 8-0 — a historic scoreline that marked both the dominance of the Super Falcons and the beginning of a quiet revolution in Moroccan football.
Only 14 days remain before the kick-off of the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
It was a different era. A time when the Super Falcons not only reigned supreme over the continent but shaped its footballing narrative in their own way. In Abeokuta, on home soil and in their opening match of the tournament, the defending champions made a resounding statement. Nkiru Okosieme, Patience Avre, Rita Nwadike, Mercy Akide, and Florence Omagbemi turned the match into a masterclass. At halftime, Morocco trailed 5-0. Nigeria played with composure and brilliance. Final score: 8-0. A tournament record still unmatched to this day.
But this match was more than just a result. It was a clash of two worlds, two stages of development, two contrasting visions of the women's game. More importantly, it marked the start of a journey — that of a Moroccan team that would quietly begin to learn, build, and invest. A country that, 25 years later, is set to host the very same tournament, now with ambition, maturity, and a golden generation.
That 1998 match left behind no bitterness or regret — only a milestone, a beginning. Twenty-four years later, the Atlas Lionesses reached the final of WAFCON 2022, brought the city of Rabat to its feet, and earned their place at the FIFA Women's World Cup. Today, Moroccan women's football is a model of development across Africa. And the story is still unfolding.
On the other side, Nigeria remains the immovable giant — multiple-time African champions, a wellspring of talent and fearless play. That 1998 victory was not an end, but a symbol of their enduring excellence. Now, on the eve of Morocco 2024, the Super Falcons arrive with pedigree, trophies, and a collective memory that makes them as formidable as ever.
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