The night in Rabat was heavy with tension. The Super Falcons were two goals to Morocco in the final of the African Cup of Nations (Wafcon). The home crowd roars with each Moroccan pass, and the air looked like a defeat. But then, as if they remembered who they were and the nation they wore, the Falcons retaliated. A goal. Then another. Then the winner.
“What a return to Rabat !!!” A tweet exploded. “The Super Falcons fought from 0 to 2 to win 3 to 2 against a fiery host. As the President @officialabat noted, it is the determination that defines Nigeria. Congratulations, champions,” said a user X.
At that time, the game became more than football. It was a parabola of resilience, the Nigerian story to refuse to accept the script for failure. This grain, this refusal to surrender, is of the same quality that feeds entrepreneurs who build difficult markets, artists who create despite limited resources and citizens who continue to dream despite political and economic turbulence.
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A few days later, through the continent of Abidjan, another chapter took place. The Nigeria women’s basketball team entered the field for the Afrobasket women’s final. They not only won, they dominated Mali 78–64 to win their fifth consecutive title and seventh in total Afrobasket.
“Double domination! ???” Another tweet said: “Nigeria has just become the first African country in history to win the Afcon and Afrobasket the same year – and our women did it in a serious style!”
The expression “in a serious style” was appropriate. Falcons and Tigress are both undefeated in their tournaments. It was not lucky. It was a demonstration of the discipline, the preparation and the pursuit of excellence – the very qualities which can and should form the foundation of renewed Nigerian patriotism.
The victories resolved far beyond sport. A post has perfectly captured the atmosphere:
“From the football field to the basketball field, our Nigerian sports women continue to make the story … to the two squads: thank you for the inspiration. You reflect the Nigerian spirit of grain, unit and excellence – at each stage. Our young girls look, learning, dream. As women in leadership, finance, innovation and sport, you show the power of ambition carried out. ”
Here is the heart: these victories were not only trophies; They were signals. Signals that Nigerian women could direct the world in any field when they had the opportunity. And when young girls see women lifting trophies, they begin to believe that they can raise anything: a business, a movement, a nation.
The celebrations did not stop with football and basketball. “Nigeria dominates sports in Africa,” a tweet has triumphantly indicated. “The Super Falcons won the Wafcon. D’Tigress won the female Afrobasket. The Super Eagles won the Unity Cup. Nigeria won the African arm wrestling championship… African football championships for the male and female African flag. ”
It was a reminder that these moments, when they are properly exploited, can become glue for national identity. For a few weeks, the noise of politics was replaced by the sound of the Nigerians speaking a language: victory. The flags stole in Lagos and Kano. The inhabitants of Abuja and Enugu wore the same jerseys. For an ephemeral moment, the divisions seemed less important than the unity of a shared victory.
But these victories also have a challenge. Patriotism built only on moments fades quickly. True nationalism develops when these moments become fuel for collective action. If Nigerians can unite to celebrate Falcons and Tigress, we can unite to meet shared challenges, from clean energy education. The same pride that fills the stands can fill in community rooms, innovation laboratories and polling stations.
Of course, there is always the temptation of political leaders to claim these victories like theirs. A message of congratulations ended with the signature “–aa” and we read: “We are solidly behind you … wishing you the victory”. Although the support of leadership is important, these victories must remain stories belonging to people. When patriotism belongs to everyone, it thrives.
The Super Falcons and Tigress showed us a model for another type of nationalism, built on resilience, shared identity, gender equality and the pursuit of excellence. They reminded us that when Nigerian women win, the nation increases with them.
