When the Super Falcons of Nigeria lifted their record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) trophy in Morocco, it wasn’t just another moment of national pride. It was also a glowing validation for the Female Football Academics Proprietors (Fefap) Nigeria, the umbrella body that runs the West Africa Female Football Academics (WAFA) Program.
Three standout players – Demehin Oluwatosin, Ijamilusi Folashade, and Oladipo Shukura – all products of WAFA, played pivotal roles in securing the Super Falcons’ victory. For Fefap, under the leadership of President Jaiyeola Damilare, Pioneer Chairman Iremere John, Emeritus President Prince Ganiyu Adetunji, and committed stakeholders, this triumph was more than just football; it was proof that grassroots investment works.
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WAFA’s Pathway to the Top
The WAFA Program was designed to identify, nurture, and promote female football talent across Nigeria and West Africa, providing young girls with opportunities to combine education, mentorship, and structured football development. Over the years, WAFA has quietly built a pipeline of players who are now shining in both domestic and international stages.
For Demehin, Folashade, and Shukura, the journey from local academies in Lagos to the grand stage of Morocco is a testament to that system. Each of them represents a story of resilience, talent, and the power of grassroots structures to transform lives.
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The Stars of WAFCON 2025
Demehin Oluwatosin
From Victory Queens of Lagos to the Turkish giants Galatasaray Ladies, Oluwatosin’s rise has been meteoric. At WAFCON, she was a defensive rock, marshaling the Falcons’ backline with composure, strength, and vision. Her ability to read the game and nullify threats was instrumental in Nigeria’s triumph. Many analysts tipped her as one of the tournament’s best defenders, a recognition that underscores her growth since her WAFA days.
Ijamilusi Folashade
The heartbeat of the midfield, Folashade, who started her journey at Springsoca Academy, Lagos, and now plies her trade in China with Liaoning Baiye, dictated the tempo of Nigeria’s play. Her crisp passing, calmness under pressure, and ability to link defense with attack made her indispensable. She wasn’t just a playmaker; she was a leader, showing maturity far beyond her years.
Oladipo Shukura
Every championship-winning team needs a spark in attack, and Shukura provided exactly that. From Heroes Queens, Lagos, to a glamorous European career at AS Roma Feminine, Italy, she proved to be one of Nigeria’s brightest attacking talents. Her pace, dribbling flair, and clinical finishing lit up the tournament, making her one of the standout performers for the Falcons.
Together, these three players embodied the WAFA spirit – resilience, discipline, and excellence.
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Mission X: Nigeria’s 10th WAFCON Title
The Super Falcons’ journey in Morocco was not without challenges. Facing host nation Morocco, reigning African rivals South Africa, and rising forces like Zambia, the road to glory demanded tactical discipline and mental strength. Yet, Nigeria’s class shone through, with the WAFA trio at the center of it all.
For Nigeria, this wasn’t just a victory – it was Mission X accomplished: their 10th continental crown, a milestone that cements their status as Africa’s most successful women’s football nation.
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Fefap’s Pride and Legacy
For Fefap Nigeria, the triumph was deeply personal. President Jaiyeola Damilare and other Fefap leaders have long advocated for stronger grassroots football structures. To see WAFA alumni playing such crucial roles on Africa’s biggest stage is proof that their vision was right all along.
“WAFA is about preparing the girl child not just for football but for life,” one Fefap stakeholder remarked. “These three players are role models, not just to young footballers, but to all Nigerian youths who believe that dreams can come true with hard work and proper guidance.”
Emeritus President Prince Ganiyu Adetunji, who has been instrumental in nurturing female football at its earliest stages, described the victory as “a fulfillment of destiny for WAFA.” Pioneer Chairman Iremere John echoed the same, noting that the players’ achievements show that grassroots football is the future of Nigerian women’s football.
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A Call for More Support
While the Super Falcons celebrate, Fefap is using this moment to call for greater investment in women’s football. Grassroots academies across Nigeria often struggle with limited resources, yet they continue to produce players of world-class quality. The success of Demehin, Folashade, and Shukura is a reminder that with adequate support, Nigeria can dominate not only in Africa but globally.
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Beyond the Trophy
For the three WAFA graduates, lifting the WAFCON trophy is a career highlight, but it is also just the beginning. With their talent, determination, and experience from global clubs in Turkey, China, and Italy, they represent the new generation of Super Falcons stars who can take Nigeria to even greater heights, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
For Fefap and the WAFA program, this victory is a proud reminder that grassroots structures matter. From dusty pitches in Lagos to the bright lights of Morocco, the journey of Demehin, Folashade, and Shukura is a story of hope, faith, and football excellence.
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Conclusion
The 2025 WAFCON triumph will be remembered as Nigeria’s historic 10th title, but beyond the medals and celebrations, it was also a showcase of grassroots success. WAFA and Fefap have proven that with proper systems, Nigeria can continue to produce world-class footballers who not only conquer Africa but also inspire generations.
As the Super Falcons bask in continental glory, Fefap Nigeria celebrates its products who turned vision into reality and wrote their names into history.
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