'We are not losing this game' - Michelle Alozie on how Super Falcons won WAFCON final

Houston Dash defender Michelle Alozie has credited Tochukwu Oluehi’s fiery halftime speech as the turning point behind Nigeria’s epic comeback in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final, where the Super Falcons overturned a 2–0 deficit to defeat host nation Morocco 3–2 in Rabat.

Morocco had taken a commanding lead with goals from Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaâ Mssoudy, leaving Nigeria shell-shocked and trailing 2–0 at the break in front of a raucous home crowd at the Olympic Stadium.

The Super Falcons were staring down the barrel of a second straight WAFCON heartbreak at the hands of the Atlas Lionesses, who eliminated them on penalties in 2022.

Nigeria delivered a breathtaking second-half performance as Esther Okoronkwo led the charge with a goal and two assists, while Folashade Ijamilusi and Jennifer Echegini also got on the scoresheet.

Alozie revealed that it was veteran goalkeeper Oluehi’s passionate halftime declaration, “We are not losing this game”, repeated again and again, that lit the fire within the team during a moment of adversity.

Alozie singled out Echegini’s late winner as her favourite goal of the tournament, calling it the defining moment of Nigeria’s victorious campaign.

“I remember Tochi saying (at half-time) ‘we are not losing this game (final)’ over and over and over and over again,” she told fans in a candid Q&A session on Snapchat via Punch.

She continued, “Jennifer Echegini’s final goal (which completed the comeback), was the one. I wish I could’ve made it. Celebrate again with me in December. Mark your calendars."

The 27-year-old Alozie was instrumental in Nigeria’s WAFCON run, notably scoring the winning goal against South Africa in the semi-finals.

Her standout performances earned her a spot in the CAF Best XI, alongside teammates Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie, and Okoronkwo.

Ajibade went on to win Player of the Tournament, Nnadozie was named Best Goalkeeper, and Madugu bagged the Best Coach award, a clean sweep for the Super Falcons.