Nigeria’s Super Falcons, the most successful team in the history of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), have taken another giant step toward a record-extending 10th title after a dramatic 2-1 victory over South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in a pulsating semi-final clash at the Labri Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.
The intense encounter lived up to its billing as a heavyweight showdown between two of the continent’s fiercest rivals.  In beating South Africa, the Nigerian side ended the Banyana Banyana’s unbeaten 15-match run in WAFCON.
Rasheedat Ajibade gave Nigeria the lead on the stroke of halftime with a penalty kick goal in the 45th minute.
South Africa, defending champions and determined to retain their crown, responded with renewed vigour in the second half.
Their persistence paid off in the 60th minute when Linda Motlhalo calmly converted an equaliser, from the penalty spot, silencing the Nigerian supporters momentarily. It was the first and only time that the Nigerian side conceded a goal in the tournament.
With the match seemingly headed for extra time, Nigerian defender Michelle Alozie turned hero in the fourth minute of the added six minutes.
Her late strike, coming deep into stoppage time, shattered South African hearts and sent the Super Falcons into wild celebrations.
Alozie’s goal sealed Nigeria’s place in the final and extinguished the hopes of Banyana Banyana, whose goalkeeper Andile Dlamini had earlier made several crucial saves to keep her side in contention.
The Super Falcons’ victory reinforces their dominance in the continental competition, where they have claimed nine titles in the previous 12 editions.
The result also marks a sweet revenge for Nigeria, who were eliminated by South Africa in the semi-final of the last tournament in 2022.
Nigeria now awaits the winner of the second semi-final between host nation Morocco and the Black Queens of Ghana to determine their opponent in the final.
With their eyes firmly set on a 10th continental crown, the Super Falcons continue to assert their pedigree as Africa’s undisputed queens of women’s football.
