In a thrilling semi-final showdown at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, Nigeria’s Super Falcons edged past defending champions South Africa with a dramatic 2–1 victory, securing their place in the final of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, showcasing the fierce rivalry between two of Africa’s football powerhouses.
Nigeria struck first just before halftime, when Rasheedat Ajibade coolly converted a penalty in the 45th minute, giving the Super Falcons a slender lead.
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Reigning champions South Africa clawed their way back into the contest. Linda Motlhalo equalized from the spot in the 60th minute, setting the stage for a tense final half-hour. With both sides pushing for a winner and extra time looming, Nigeria found a moment of magic.
In the fourth minute of stoppage time, right-back Michelle Alozie launched a speculative long-range effort that sailed past everyone — including South Africa’s goalkeeper — and nestled into the net.
The Super Falcons had started the tie well and quickly put pressure on the Banyana defence as a wayward header threatened to cause havoc before goalkeeper Andile Dlamini came out to collect.
Chiamaka Nnadozie was then well placed at the other end to hold on to a goal-bound Jermaine Seoposenwe header following a good inswinging free-kick.
Nigeria were in again on seven minutes with a break that left the South African defence scrambling, but Dlamini was well placed to parry the effort from Ihezuo Chinwendu wide for a corner.
Bafana upped the tempo and Seoposenwe found Refiloe Jane with a super pass, but her shot failed to trouble Nnadozie.
Lebohang Ramalepe then spotted the keeper off the line and tried to lob the ball but only managed to float the ball over the crossbar.
Despite seeing much of the ball, it was the Falcons who took the lead when Ajibade netted from the penalty spot with just a minute of the first half remaining.
It could be argued that Bambanani Mbane was harshly adjudged to have handled the ball – and despite guessing the right way and getting a hand to the ball, Dlamini was unable to keep out the effort.
Despite being a goal down, Banyana were largely the better side in the second half but were grateful for the heroics of Fikile Magama as he somehow managed to clear a Ajibade shot off the line with Dlamini beaten.
And that stopped proved to be crucial as Banyana were back on level terms when Motlhalo slotted home, this after first-half substitute Hildah Magaia was upended inside the box.
Nigeria responded with a long-range effort from Ijamilisu Folashade that was easily collected by Dlamini
Noxolo Cesane came on for Lebohang Ramelepe for Banyana and was almost on the scoresheet soon after her introduction. She managed to latch on to an expertly dispatched cross-field ball from Seoposenwe, but Nnadozie did enough to block the shot before a covering defender cleared the ball off the line.
Seoposenwe fired just over after finding space on the left of the goal, before a stoppage in play with just five minutes remaining, as a heavy collision and seemingly bad injury to Gabriela Salgado left a number of players in tears.
Sibulele Holweni replaced the injured Salgado and despite the shock of the incident, Banyana were immediately on the attack and forced a corner, that almost snuck in the goal before landing on top of the net.
Holweni then made a vital headed clearance with Okoronkwo ready to pounce, while the resultant corner was cleared without too much concern.
But Nigeria were to shock South Africa with a winning goal in injury time as a speculative long ball forward from Alozie floated into the goal; with Dlamini only managing the slightest of touches that wasn’t enough to claw the ball out of the net.
Nigeria will now face host nation Morocco in the final, as they aim to capture a record-extending 10th WAFCON title.