… as WAFCON 2024 countdown hits three days
With just three days remaining before the kickoff of the 13th edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) maintains its countdown. They are revisiting some of the tournament’s most iconic moments.
Wednesday’s spotlight highlights Nigeria’s historic and dominant run at the 1998 edition. This campaign was unrivaled and remains one of the most emphatic in WAFCON history.
Hosted on home soil, the 1998 tournament marked the fourth edition of the competition and showcased a Super Falcons team at the peak of their powers.
Under the leadership of standout players such as Florence Omagbemi, Nkiru Okosieme, and goalkeeper Ann Chiejine, Nigeria swept through the tournament without conceding a single goal.
With just three days remaining before the kickoff of the 13th edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) maintains its countdown.
They are revisiting some of the tournament’s most iconic moments.
Wednesday’s spotlight highlights Nigeria’s historic and dominant run at the 1998 edition. This campaign was unrivaled and remains one of the most emphatic in WAFCON history.
Hosted on home soil, the 1998 tournament marked the fourth edition of the competition and showcased a Super Falcons team at the peak of their powers.
Under the leadership of standout players such as Florence Omagbemi, Nkiru Okosieme, and goalkeeper Ann Chiejine, Nigeria swept through the tournament without conceding a single goal.
The Falcons opened their campaign in ruthless fashion, demolishing Morocco 8-0 in their first group match. That result was quickly followed by back-to-back 6-0 victories over DR Congo and Egypt, taking their group stage tally to 20 goals scored and none conceded.
Their momentum continued into the semi-finals where they overwhelmed Cameroon 6-0. In the final against Ghana, the Super Falcons capped off their perfect run with a composed 2-0 win to clinch their fourth consecutive WAFCON title.
“We were on a mission. Playing at home came with pressure, but also motivation. We wanted to show that no one could match us on the continent,” Omagbemi later told the BBC.
Nigeria’s 1998 triumph was not just a display of attacking flair, but also of rare defensive solidity. Across five matches, the team scored 28 goals and maintained five clean sheets—an achievement unmatched in the tournament’s history.
Beyond the statistics, the victory reinforced Nigeria’s football identity: fast, physical, and driven by a mix of individual brilliance and collective cohesion. That 1998 squad laid the foundation for future generations and set a benchmark for African women’s football.
As the continent prepares for WAFCON 2024 in Morocco, Nigeria’s perfect campaign 26 years ago stands as a powerful reminder of the high standards required at the top level—and the legacy of dominance the Super Falcons continue to uphold amid rising competition.