In the proud and illustrious history of African women’s football, no team has shone quite as brightly or consistently as Nigeria’s Super Falcons. And now, a landmark moment from their glorious past is once again being celebrated by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), as the body honours the Nigerian women’s national team for the most goals scored in a single edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), an astonishing 28 goals in the 1998 tournament.
The tribute, highlighted in a colourful visual and nostalgic campaign by CAF ahead of the upcoming 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, has reignited memories of a team that not only dominated their opponents but redefined what was possible in women’s football on the continent.
Held in Nigeria in 1998, the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (then known as the African Women’s Championship) was more than a football competition; it was a festival of national pride and sporting excellence. The Super Falcons, came into the tournament as favourites, and they lived up to the billing in style.
From the very first whistle, the Nigerian side showcased a lethal combination of pace, power, precision and tactical brilliance. Match after match, they demolished their opponents with scorelines that seemed almost implausible.
The likes of Mercy Akide, Florence Omagbemi, Nkiru Okosieme, and Ann Chiejine led a team brimming with talent and confidence, dispatching rivals with ease. Their goal-scoring spree culminated in a final performance that sealed their dominance and left no doubts about their supremacy on African soil.
Scoring 28 goals in a single tournament was no small feat. It was a statement of intent, a demonstration of technical superiority, and a reflection of Nigeria’s longstanding investment in women’s football.
Decades later, no other team has come close to matching that record in a single edition of the WAFCON. It is a testament to the fearsome quality of the Super Falcons’ class of 1998, a squad that, for many, remains one of the finest African women’s football teams ever assembled.
CAF’s recent commemoration of this achievement acknowledges not just the number, but the enduring impact of that team on African football history.
The success of the 1998 squad inspired a new generation of women footballers in Nigeria and across Africa. It emboldened young girls to dream of wearing the green and white jersey, to believe in their potential, and to see football not as a male preserve but as a field where women could excel and conquer.
That 1998 triumph also laid the foundation for Nigeria’s continued dominance in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, with the Super Falcons going on to win a record 9 titles to date, making them the most successful team in the history of the competition.
As CAF prepares for the 2024 edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the legacy of the 1998 Super Falcons remains a source of pride and motivation. The current squad, featuring stars like Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade, and Chiamaka Nnadozie, will look to honour that history while chasing new glory.
The honour bestowed by CAF serves as both a reminder of the Falcons’ rich heritage and a challenge to the new generation: to uphold the standard set by those who came before them and, perhaps one day, set new records of their own.
17th October 1998
Nigeria 8-0 Morocco
20th October 1998
Nigeria 6-0 DR Congo
23rd October 1998
Nigeria 6-0 Egypt.
27th October (Semi-Final)
Nigeria 6-0 Cameroon.
31st October 1998 (Final)
Nigeria 2-0 Ghana
