2022 WAFCON: S’ Africa Defeat Nigeria In Group C Opener

South African senior female national team, Banyana Banyana on Monday once again asserted their superiority over their Nigerian counterparts with a 2-1 win over the Super Falcons in Group C match of the ongoing 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON in Morocco
Goals on 60th and 62nd minutes of the boots of Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hildah Magaia ensured that the South Africans once again defeated the reigning Champions 8 months after they defeated them in Lagos to win Aisha Buhari Tourney.
There was nothing to separate the teams in the first half as it ended scoreless.
South Africa had a better statistics, finishing the the first 45 minutes with 59.6% of the ball possessions.
The Super Falcons however created the best chance of the half in the 12th minute when Asisat Oshoala ran into a good position to receive a pass by Michelle Alozie but a South African defender cleared away the ball.
Super Falcons captain Onome Ebi a couple of times had to save Tochukwu Oluehi in goal from trouble after the keeper misjudged the ball when Thembi Kgatlana threatened to score.
It was a match the nine-time champions were anything but coordinated as they managed to hold the the South Africans at bay in the first 45 minutes.
Oshoala had her best chance of the game four minutes into the second half with a left footed strike that South African keeper Andile Dlamini gathered with a smart catch.
The Nigerians could have put the Bayana Bayana under pressure through Ifeoma Olumonu in the 55th minute but her header was weak to have caused any troubles.
Two quick goals by in the 61st minute and 63rd minute by the duo of Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hildah Magaia saw South Africa go ahead.
Atletico Madrid dazzler Rasheedat Ajibade however pulled one back for Nigeria in added time but it was too little, too late for the Nigerians.
It is the 3rd time Nigeria is losing to the Banyana Banyana in four matches. They lost 1-0 in November 2018 in Ghana WAFCON, lost 4-2 in the Aisha Buhari Tourney in September in Lagos before Monday’s humiliation.
Nigeria paraded their European based stars that were all lethargic in the game as the young energetic South Africans ran them ragged.
Super Falcons last win over the Orange nation’s was on December 1, 2018 in the final of that year’s edition of WAFCON with the then Thomas Dennerby led ladies triumphing 4-3 on penalty after regulations ended goalless.
Super Falcons will hope to bounce back from the defeat as the face debutants, Botswana on tomorrow.