Defending champions Banyana Banyana crash out of Wafcon after Nigeria defeat

Clashes between Banyana Banyana and Nigeria’s Super Falcons are always gladiatorial, and theirs is one of the biggest rivalries in women’s soccer.

The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) meeting between the two on Tuesday, 22 July at Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca was poised to be another colourful chapter in this long-standing rivalry. It ended in a 2-1 victory to Nigeria after a tense 96-minute battle.

Nigeria opened the scoring on the cusp of half-time after Bambanani Mbane was penalised for an unfortunate handball. Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade squeezed her spot-kick into the back of the net, past goalkeeper Andile Dlamini.

On 56 minutes, South Africa won a penalty, which was eventually ratified after a lengthy video assistant referee review. Up stepped playmaker Linda Motlhalo to calmly convert and bring Banyana Banyana level.

This goal shifted the momentum firmly in South Africa’s favour, with Desiree Ellis’s team creating several opportunities, but they were unable to capitalise on this rare period of dominance.

A chain of unfortunate events

The wind was knocked out of their sails when they lost left winger Gabriela Salgado to a horrific leg injury late in the second half. The Banyana Banyana players were visibly distraught at losing their teammate in that manner, and they never recovered.

Michelle Alozie’s searching cross from the right wing on 94 minutes somehow evaded everyone in the Banyana box, including charging goalkeeper Dlamini, as it trickled into the goal. The unexpected blow came against the run of play, with extra-time seeming the most likely next chapter of this semifinal story.

Sluggish campaign

Banyana Banyana did not display the same swagger that helped them clinch their maiden title in 2022. Except for the 4-0 demolition of Mali in the group stage, the team were sluggish throughout this Wafcon campaign.

Following this defeat, it’s back to the drawing board for South Africa’s senior women’s soccer side. But first they must fight for the bronze medal.

“Yes, Banyana Banyana did not win the game. But there’s still a lot to fight for. They still need to deliver that bronze medal to Gabriela. She deserves a medal. Even Jermaine Seoposenwe [who is retiring] deserves to leave with a bronze medal. So, one more game to go,” said Banyana midfielder Kholosa Biyana on SuperSport.

As for the Nigerians, they now have a massive chance to win their 10th title since this continental competition became the Wafcon in 1998.

Old rivals

The feud between Banyana Banyana and Nigeria dates back to the 1995 edition of the continental tournament, when it was still known as the African Women’s Championship. Banyana Banyana and Nigeria met in the final, with the Super Falcons soaring to a ruthless 11-2 aggregate victory in the two-legged decider.

In the years that followed, the rivalry has blossomed, with the Nigerians enjoying the most success. At Wafcon, the teams had met five times in the semifinals before the tussle in Casablanca, with the Super Falcons losing only once during those last-four meetings.

The most recent encounter between the two at the tournament ended in a 2-1 victory for Banyana Banyana in the group stage of the 2022 edition.

Banyana were always going to have a tough task when they came up against a Super Falcons team that was high in confidence after tearing apart Zambia 5-0 in the quarterfinals. The Nigerians were yet to concede a goal at the tournament. Banyana Banyana, on the other hand, scraped into the semifinals after beating Senegal 4-1 on penalties.

While Banyana Banyana had dominated recent competitive fixtures between the two teams, the turning point came during the Paris Olympic Games qualifiers in 2024. The Nigerians won 1-0 on aggregate over two legs to book their ticket to France at the expense of the South Africans.

Their victory in Morocco is a clear indication that the Nigerians are once again asserting their dominance in this rivalry. DM