Jennifer Echegini: ‘Winning Wafcon was on another level’

Nigeria midfielder Jennifer Onyinyechi Echegini says she is still basking in the pride of winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) last year, describing the triumph as the highlight of her career.

Seven months after the Super Falcons overturned a two-goal deficit to beat hosts Morocco 3-2 in Rabat and secure a record 10th continental title, Echegini reflected on the achievement from Paris, where she plays for PSG.

Winning the Wafcon is on another level, you know? The pride and the achievement that I felt … when you’re playing with a group of girls that you love and care for, it makes it even more special,’ she told journalist, Osazu Obayiwuana.

The midfielder recalled the resilience required to stage the comeback.

‘We kind of just went [into the second half] with the mindset that it’s all or nothing … you either give everything and maybe get something out of it, or you don’t fight, and you then look back, wishing you had. We just went out with that mindset and gave everything.’

Echegini said the reception in Nigeria after the victory left her overwhelmed. The team was promised $100,000 and houses by the government, pledges yet to be fulfilled.

‘I already knew Nigerians do things big, but when you experience it, it’s on another level,’ she said. “It was amazing to celebrate things with the people you care about and with fans who care about you and support you.’

Born in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, Echegini moved to England at 11 before relocating to the United States, where she played college football at Mississippi State and Florida State.

She made her Nigeria debut in 2022 under coach Randy Waldrum and scored her first international goal against New Zealand in 2023, the same year she featured at the World Cup in Australia.

With Wafcon returning to Morocco this month, Echegini warned against complacency.

‘Preparation time is very limited. Last year we didn’t prepare as much as we wanted, but we still won. We are a team, regardless of the obstacles thrown at us or the lack of preparation, which always prevails in the end.’

Looking ahead to the next World Cup, she urged the Nigeria Football Federation to improve preparations.

‘We need to prepare very well. We need to figure some things out, so we can be better. When you compete with teams that have all these facilities and, essentially, their lives are easier, you’re already at a disadvantage. I hope we are able to utilise every camp window, so we can be as strong as we can.’