A seemingly inadvertent attempt at demonstrating prowess in some level of brinkmanship has gladly heralded three significant miracles in Nigeria’s sporting history. More poignantly, apart from the Miracle of Atlanta in which the nation’s Olympic team stunned Brazil and Argentina to clinch the Gold Medal in 1996, the other two miracles took place in two Islamic cities during which the West African state had a Muslim as helmsman in both instances. While the former which occurred in 1989 when General Ibrahim Babangida held sway, had long been christened “The Miracle of Dammam”, the latter has, barely forty-eight hours of its occurrence, been nicknamed “The Miracle in Rabat”. Just as the world will not forget some significant events in the world during the last thirty-six years – the collapse of the Soviet Union, personal computers becoming widely available, the rise of the Internet, E-mail, and cell phones, 9/11 and its aftermath, the rise of the European Union, amongst others; these sporting feats have indelibly been engraved in global annals.
2.1 The Miracle of Dammam
Played at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam (Saudi Arabia) as part of a quarter-final football match between the Nigerian U-20 football team and the USSR U-20 football team during the 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship in Saudi Arabia, with an attendance of about 10,000 spectators, the Soviet Union raced to a four-goal lead within 46 minutes with a brace from Sergei Kiriakov in the 30th and 38th minutes and further goals from Bakhva Tedeev and Oleg Salenko in the 45th and 46th minutes respectively in a keenly contested match. With thirty minutes to full-time, Nigeria responded through a goal from Oladimeji Lawal in the 61st and one from Christopher Ohenhen in the 75th minutes. Samuel Elijah scored the third goal in the 83rd minute before the captain of the Nigerian team Nduka Ugbade completed the remarkable comeback with a goal in the 84th minute to end the game in a draw. Eventually, Nigeria won the match on penalties and went on to become second at the tournament after losing to Portugal in the final.
2.2 The Miracle in Rabat
Still engulfed in a nationwide euphoric ecstasy which is yet to wane, following the incredible comeback by the Falcons of Nigeria to clinch a famous 3-2 win against hosts – Atlas Lionesses of Morocco – in the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) which was played at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat on Saturday 26th July 2025, this historic win has sealed a record-extending 10th WAFCON title for the continent’s most successful female national team. In this match, the Atlas Lionesses stormed to a two-goal from Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaa Mssoudy in the 12th and 24 minutes respectively. But three goals inside 22 minutes of the second half were enough to seal a remarkable victory for the brave Super Falcons.
The comeback began in the 64th minute when Esther Okoronkwo, who has been the best player of the tournament, converted from the penalty spot after Nouhaila Benzina was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box. In the 71st minute, Folamide Ijamilusi levelled the tie with a brilliant goal from Okoronkwo’s pass. The technical crew’s input cannot be overlooked as substitute Jennifer Echegini completed the Miracle of Rabat when she scored the winner in the 88thminute, Okoronkwo again being the provider. At the final blast of the whistle, the 21,000-capacity Olympic Stadium was stunned into silence as the Super Falcons celebrated a famous win that further cemented their status as Africa’s best.
2.3 Points of Intersection Between Morocco and Saudi Arabia
Though in two different continents of Africa and Asia, Morocco and Saudi Arabia, being Arabic states, do share cultural similarities, a common Islamic heritage, desert landscape with a rich history embodying Saudi Arabia being the birthplace of Islam and Morocco having a long history of dynasties and empires; and above all, hospitable and welcoming culture toward guests. Hence, reactions in varying shades and forms that emanated from the painful loss of the host Atlas Lionesses were all clothed in courtesy and civility, added to the strong diplomatic and economic ties Nigeria maintains with various Arab states.
3.0 A More Sustainable Gift For Nigerian Women
By this recent victory, the Super Falcons have confirmed a $1 million (over ₦1.5 billion) prize money, as announced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). More heartwarmingly, the approval of a cash award of the naira equivalent of USD100,000 to each of the 24 players, and USD50,000 equivalent to each technical crew member, a 3-Bedroom Flat, and the conferment of a national honour on each member of the team is commendable. In addition to the foregoing, however, the Miracle in Rabat tends to underscore the inevitability of increased female inclusivity across all spheres of the Nigerian state.
Could it ever be remiss to attempt at concluding that Nigerians should expect soccer miracles when tournaments are hosted within the precincts of the Arab world, and more so when the self-acclaimed giant of Africa is led by a Muslim leader? Arguably, this feat that has benefited Nigeria which tends to have laid credence and indeed strongly correlating with the complementary socio-economic roles women play in advancing societies has thus brought to crescendo the legislative approbation that should attend the passage of the bill which seeks to increase women’s representation in parliament through the creation of reserved seats for women in both the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as in State Houses of Assembly. Arguably, this could be the most sustainable gift worthily deserving of the womenfolk in this era.
4.0 Conclusion
The Super Falcons, having done beyond winning the trophy in this instance, and indeed by flying to the tree top pour la dixième fois, it is hoped that their fame will not attenuate anytime soon. Now that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced Morocco as the host nation for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the third consecutive time, Nigerians will indeed be salivating, while yearning for a repeat of the most recent outcome, particularly as the incumbent president’s tenure subsists till then.
Bravo Super Falcons!
Bravo the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Godfrey Pondei is a multilingual Associate Professor of International Development, with fluency in Izon, Ogoni, Swahili, French and English, and writes from Yenagoa.
