Morocco Drags Super Falcons to CAF After WAFCON Defeat, Alleges Two Players Are Not Nigerians
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has officially filed a protest with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over the eligibility of two Super Falcons players, following Nigeria’s victory in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final. The North African nation alleges that two key players fielded by the Nigerian team in the final are not bonafide Nigerian citizens and should have been disqualified from participating in the tournament.
The complaint, submitted 48 hours after Nigeria’s historic 1–0 win over Morocco in Rabat, was confirmed on Tuesday by a senior official at CAF headquarters in Cairo. According to sources close to the development, the Moroccan federation is contesting the nationality of Super Falcons midfielder Jennifer Echegini and forward Esther Okoronkwo, both of whom were born abroad and played prominent roles throughout the tournament.
The FRMF in its petition argues that the players in question failed to meet certain nationality requirements outlined in Article 21 of the CAF Women’s Competition Regulations, which deals with eligibility based on descent, birth, and citizenship.
“We believe that there was a clear breach of player eligibility rules during the final match,” a senior official of the FRMF told Moroccan state media. “This is not about the loss it’s about upholding the integrity of the game and ensuring fairness.”
The Super Falcons, who defeated the host nation Morocco in a highly charged final in Rabat on Saturday, lifted their 12th WAFCON title a record in African women’s football. Esther Okoronkwo scored the winning goal in the 76th minute, sealing Nigeria’s place at the 2025 FIFA Women’s World Cup and sparking celebrations across the country.
However, Morocco’s sudden protest has cast a cloud over Nigeria’s triumph.
NFF Reacts Swiftly
In response, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed the protest as “frivolous, baseless, and a desperate move by sore losers.” NFF spokesperson Ademola Olajire said both players named in the complaint have full Nigerian citizenship, valid Nigerian passports, and met all CAF and FIFA eligibility requirements prior to the tournament.
“This is not the first time these players are being called up to represent Nigeria,” Olajire said in a statement released Tuesday afternoon. “Both Jennifer and Esther are Nigerians by birth through their parents. They were cleared by CAF and FIFA prior to the tournament. The FRMF is trying to overturn a clear defeat using baseless legal arguments.”
Olajire further accused the Moroccan federation of attempting to distract from the final result and Nigeria’s rightful victory.
CAF Opens Investigation
CAF has confirmed receiving Morocco’s formal protest and said its Disciplinary Committee has begun reviewing the case. A decision is expected within seven to ten days. However, CAF officials have indicated that such cases are difficult to prove unless there is evidence of document forgery or dual nationality issues that contravene FIFA’s eligibility rules.
According to Article 6 of the FIFA Statutes, a player is eligible to play for a national team if they hold the nationality of that country and have not represented another national team at the senior level. Both Echegini and Okoronkwo were born in the United States but have never played for any country other than Nigeria at the international level.
“CAF is reviewing the submitted documents and will follow due process,” a CAF disciplinary committee member told journalists on condition of anonymity. “If the players meet the nationality requirements, the case will be dismissed. But if there are discrepancies, sanctions may follow.”
Nigerians React with Outrage
News of Morocco’s protest has triggered angry reactions from Nigerian football fans, analysts, and former internationals who have labelled the move “petty” and “unsporting.”
Former Super Falcons captain Florence Omagbemi said the complaint was an insult to the credibility of African women’s football.
“It’s disappointing that after losing fairly on the pitch, Morocco would attempt to use politics to overturn the result,” she said. “These young women have worked hard and made the nation proud. This kind of protest undermines the spirit of sportsmanship.”
Football fans took to social media to express their displeasure, with hashtags such as #HandsOffOurFalcons and #RespectNigeria trending on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.
@NaijaSoccerFan wrote: “This is shameful from Morocco. You lost at home, take it with grace and prepare for the next WAFCON. Don’t drag our girls through the mud.”
Another fan, @FalconQueen10, tweeted: “Jennifer and Esther are Nigerians through and through. Morocco should be sanctioned for this baseless protest.”
Legal Outcome Uncertain
While the NFF remains confident that the protest will be dismissed, legal experts have noted that CAF has the discretion to launch a broader review of player eligibility if they believe it affects the integrity of the competition.
However, CAF has rarely overturned match results due to nationality issues unless there is overwhelming evidence of intentional deception. If the players are found ineligible, Nigeria could face disqualification or forfeit the WAFCON title, but analysts say such an outcome is unlikely given the players’ consistent representation of Nigeria in past competitions.
CAF has requested both federations to submit all relevant documents, including birth certificates, passports, and proof of parental nationality. A closed-door hearing is expected to be held before the CAF Disciplinary Committee in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the Super Falcons remain focused on their preparation for the 2025 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers, even as the team management continues to liaise with CAF officials.
The controversy adds a fresh layer of tension to Nigeria-Morocco football relations, following a string of competitive encounters between the two nations at both youth and senior levels.
Until CAF delivers a final ruling, Nigeria’s latest continental victory remains under scrutiny but for many fans, the glory belongs to the pitch, not the courtroom.