South Africa’s Banyana Bayana beat Morocco 2-1 on Saturday to win their first WAFCON title at the fifth time of asking.
Hildah Magaia scored twice in eight minutes after the hour mark to hand South Africa a first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title as they beat hosts Morocco 2-1 in a grueling final in Rabat on Saturday.
It ended a run of five finals without success for Banyana Banyana, who completed the tournament in Morocco with a 100 per cent record, as well as securing qualification to next year’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Read also
- Referee Apologises For Denying Nigeria 2 Goals; Super Falcons Fall To South Africa
- 2019 AFCON Qualifier: Nigeria Beat Libya 4-0, South Africa Top Group E
- U-20 AFCON: Nigeria’s Flying Eagles Lose Bronze To South Africa
Magaia tapped in an excellent cutback from Jermaine Seoposenwe, who ran onto a loose ball to create the opening goal as she held off her marker to provide an excellent pass in the 63rd minute.
It took the sting out of a frenzied atmosphere at the sold-out Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium, where only weeks earlier South Africa’s men had lost to Morocco in a Cup of Nations qualifier.
Magaia then doubled the lead in the 71st minute with another close finish, this time from a cross out wide from Karabo Dhlamini, which Morocco’s defence failed to deal with.
But a lapse in concentration saw Banyana lose possession and offered Morocco hope of a comeback as Rosella Ayane pulled one back in the 80th minute after being set up by Fatima Tagnaout.
It meant an anxious last 10 minutes for Desiree Ellis’ team – plus another nine minutes of referee’s time added on – before they could get their hands on the trophy.
The game started with a high tempo, fueled by the large crowd who greeted every Moroccan touch with a cheer and Banyana move with a chorus of whistles.
After 11 minutes, there was a muted shout for a penalty, but the tackle by Morocco came close to conceding a penalty while Tagnaout’s challenge on Magaia in her own penalty area was risky, it proved expertly timed.
Both sides pressed high to allow little space for chances and, as a result, the first 30 minutes went by without goals scoring opportunities.
South Africa had a chance with a long-range free kick in the 32nd minute that Nomvula Kgoale hit onto the roof of the net and three minutes later Seoposenwe played through an inch-perfect pass for Magaia, but her left-footed effort was blocked by a brave save by the home goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi.
