Sports
Mali Beat Bafana To Reach Semis
Mali beat Bafana Bafana 3-1 in a penalty shoot-out to reach the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals after the teams were tied 1-1 after extra-time.
Bafana scored first during the first-half through Tokelo Rantie and Seydou Keita got the equaliser in the second half.
The hosts played very well in the first-half dictating play through the midfield and deserved to go into the break leading but Mali played well in the second half and when they scored early in the second half it seemed to knock the wind out of Bafana. Extra-time was fairly even with both sides having slight chances to score.
South Africa started the match well putting Mali under pressure, getting the crowd on their side from the start.
Bernard Parker found space in the 6th minute but his shot lacked direction and did not trouble the Mali keeper.
Seydou Keita hammered and powered in a shot from distance in the 9th minute, but it went well over the bar.
In the 13th minute Mahlangu burst into the danger area beating defenders, passing to Letsholonyane but nothing came of it.
Mahlangu turned the Mali defence with a great through ball to Tokelo Rantie, but keeper Diakite just beat Rantie to the ball.
Bafana took the lead in the 31st minute when Mahlangu broke free and slipped the ball to his left to Thuso Phala, who whipped a pass across goal for Rantie to stab home from close-range, 1-0.
Goal scorer Rantie had to be replaced by Lehlohonolo Majoro in the 44th minute due to an injury.
Majoro was put through on goal by Letsholonyane in the 55th minute but good defending and brave goalkeeping saw the chance go to waste.
An unmarked Keita scored for Mali in the 58th minute against the run of play when he got on the end of a Mahamadou Samassa cross and put his header past Khune to bring Mali level, 1-1.
Then a mistake by Gaxa four minutes later allowed Samassa a shot at goal, but Khune saved well. Then it was Mahlangu who went close in the 80th minute after a good combination with Majoro that resulted in a first time effort on goal, which was saved.
The match went into extra-time with both sides looking fatigued but giving away nothing and the match ended 1-1 after 30 minutes.
Mali kept their nerve in the penalty shoot-out as Bafana failed to score three of their four penalties while Mali did not miss. The Mali goalkeeper was the star of the shoot-out making three saves.
In a statement released by the league, the competition is scheduled to take place from Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 14, 2026, with six clubs set to battle for the league title at the end of the 2025/26 season.
NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, said the choice of Port Harcourt reflects the Rivers State Government’s continued support for women’s football and its successful hosting of the league’s Annual General Assembly last year.
The Super Six tournament will feature the top three teams from Group A and Group B of the regular season competing in a round-robin format, with each club playing five matches over nine days.
Qualified teams for the competition include defending champions Bayelsa Queens, Edo Queens, Rivers Angels, Robo Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, and debutants Abia Angels.
The NWFL Premiership has produced four different winners in the last five editions, with Rivers Angels winning in 2021, Bayelsa Queens claiming the title in 2022 and 2025, Delta Queens triumphing in 2023, and Edo Queens emerging champions in 2024.
The league also urged participating clubs to comply with all competition regulations and directives ahead of the championship. The Super Six will determine Nigeria’s representative for the WAFU-B qualifiers for a place at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League and ultimately the 2027 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.
Teams are expected to arrive on Friday, June 5, when the draw ceremony and pre-match meeting will also take place. Matchdays are scheduled for June 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14, with rest days in between before the tournament concludes with the trophy presentation ceremony.
