South Africa’s hopes of retaining their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) crown came to a crushing end on Tuesday night, as Banyana Banyana were edged 2-1 by Nigeria in a dramatic semi-final clash in Morocco.
The tightly contested encounter looked set for extra time after the two African giants were deadlocked at 1-1 heading into stoppage time. But Nigerian defender Michelle Alozie broke South African hearts with a last-gasp winner deep into added time, ending Banyana’s dream of back-to-back continental titles.
Late Goal Stuns Defending Champions
It was a tense, physical contest befitting a semi-final between two of the continent’s top women’s football nations. Both sides had their chances, but it was Alozie’s decisive finish in the dying moments that sealed Nigeria’s place in the final, leaving Desiree Ellis and her players devastated.
Adding to the emotional weight of the loss was a worrying incident involving South African forward Gabriela Salgado, who appeared to suffer a serious injury late in the game. The distress was evident on the faces of players from both sides as they gathered around her.
Road to the Semi-Finals
Banyana Banyana started their WAFCON campaign on a high, opening with a confident 2-0 win over Ghana. That was followed by a 1-1 draw with Tanzania and a commanding 4-0 victory over Mali in the group stages.
In the quarter-finals, South Africa faced a stern test against Senegal. After a goalless 120 minutes, the match went to penalties, where goalkeeper Andile Dlamini emerged as the hero, saving two spot-kicks to secure a 4-1 shootout win and a semi-final date with old foes Nigeria.
Just three years ago, Banyana made history by winning their first-ever WAFCON title in 2022, beating Morocco 2-1 in the final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. That triumph was a culmination of years of heartbreak, as South Africa had finished as runners-up in 2018, 2012, 2008, and 2000, and were semi-finalists in multiple editions.
This time, however, the journey ended one step short of the final, marking another painful chapter in the team’s proud but turbulent continental story.
A Bright Future Still Shines
Despite the semi-final exit, Banyana Banyana continue to establish themselves as a powerhouse in African and global women’s football. Their performance at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where they reached the knockout stages, was historic — a feat Bafana Bafana have yet to replicate.
Ellis’ team now shifts focus to the third-place play-off on Friday, where they will face the loser of the Morocco vs Ghana semi-final.
While their reign as champions may be over, the legacy of this Banyana team continues to inspire, and their rise in international football shows no signs of slowing.
Related article: WAFCON: Banyana Banyana and Nigeria Clash for 2026 World Cup Spot
