Nine-time African champions Super Falcons of Nigeria were stunned with a 2-1 loss against South Africa’s Banyana Banyana on Monday in their opening match at the ongoing 2022 Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
This result is similar to that of 2018 WAFCON where Banyana Banyana won the Falcons 1-0 in their opening game. It also means that South Africans have now recorded back-to-back wins against Nigeria after they defeated the Super Falcons 4-2 in the Aisha Buhari Cup Invitational in 2021.
After a goalless first half, South Africa netted two quick goals from Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hildah Magaia, however, Super Falcons managed to pull a goal back late in the game through Rasheedat Ajibade.
South Africa did take control of the game while the Falcons were busy defending in the first 5 minutes.
In the 8th minute, Super Falcons forward Asisat Oshoala went down and needed treatment following a tough challenge.
A few minutes later South Africa broke forward with Tochukwu Oluehi out of her area but Ashleigh Plumptre got there and cleared for a corner kick.
Michelle Alozie tried to play Oshoala through on goal but her effort was blocked in the 23rd minute.
A few minutes later, Oshoala had another chance to open the scoring after controlling a long pass with her chest but fell over with the goalkeeper coming out to claim the ball.
In the 37th minute, Alozie found herself in a good space on the right to beat her marker, but her attempted left-foot curler went across goal.
Nine minutes later, a long cross found Ifeoma Onumonu, but her header was weak to trouble the South African goalkeeper.
South Africa broke the sea in the 60th minute through Seoposenwe who collected a pass on the edge of the box before slotting past goalkeeper Oluehi.
In just less than two minutes later, Magaia doubled South Africa’s lead as she ran on to a through pass and fired past Oluehi.
Minutes later another break from South Africa freed Kgatlana but Oluehi came off her area to stop her.
The Falcons kept pushing to put in a goal but South Africans were able to ward off their threats.
Ajibade however pulled a goal back for Nigeria in the 90+1 minutes from an assist from Onome Ebi.
But this wasn’t enough to salvage neither a draw nor a win as the Falcons bowed to the defeat.
The Super Falcons will next face debutants Botswana while South Africa takes on Burundi.
