Super Falcons Beat South Africa, Qualify To WAFCON Final

Super Falcons Beat South Africa, Qualify To WAFCON Final

The Super Falcons of Nigeria have advanced to the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, following a dramatic 2-1 victory over reigning champions, South Africa’s Banyana Banyana.

As the game edged toward extra time, defender Mitchel Alozie delivered a deep cross into the South African penalty area. The ball eluded everyone—goalkeeper included—and slipped into the back of the net, catching the Banyana Banyana defence completely off guard.

Alozie’s decisive goal sealed Nigeria’s place in the final and capped off an intense semifinal showdown between two continental heavyweights.

South Africa, known for being one of Nigeria’s toughest WAFCON rivals, had handed the Falcons a defeat in the previous tournament’s group stage. This hard-earned win served up a measure of sweet revenge and reaffirmed Nigeria’s dominance in African women’s football.

The Falcons were on top throughout the first half and were only kept at bay by a combination of a save from Andile Dlamini, the South African goalkeeper, and a goal-line clearance by Bambanani Mbane.

But late first half, Nigeria took the lead.

Folashade Ijamilusi won a penalty for the Falcons, and Ajibade slotted home with aplomb for 1-0 going into the interval.

The Banyana Banyana equalized from the penalty spot on 60 minutes.

In the fourth minute of added time, the goalkeeper misjudged Alozie’s deep cross under pressure from Deborah Abiodun and Christy Ucheibe, and the ball sailed into the net for 2-1 in the fourth minute of added time.

Nigeria are billed to meet either Ghana or Morocco in the final on Saturday.