Banyana Banyana took on the defending champions Nigeria at the Prince Heritier Moulay El Hassan. The Super Falcons team is the highest ranked team at the competition, while Banyana is ranked the third best team in Africa.
The early parts of the game started really tentatively with both teams attacking but not able to create clear chances in front of goal.
While Banyana looked better on the eye, passing the ball quiet well at the midfield, there were only a few close moments nor real shots on target in the entire first half.
The Falcons may have a clear plan to bye-pass the middle and connect Assisat Oshoala upfront, who has shown she can outrun the South African defence, but a wrong twist of her previous knee injury kill all her early aggressions.
The second stanza kicked off with the first shot on target inside the box by Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria, but was gathered well by Banyana keeper Andile Dlamini in the 48th minute. Then things began to buckle for the Nigerian ladies as Banana Banana mount pressure on the defence with counter runs on defence and total takeover of the midfield
The game bursted into life when Noxolo Cesane turned and created a chance for Jermaine Seoposenwe, who converted with ease in the 60th minute.
Two minutes later, while Nigeria were licking their wounds, Banyana added to the scoreline when Refiloe Jane rolled in Hilda Magaia who made 2-0 in Rabat. That really dazed the Falcons and lost total control of the game.
Banyana controlled the rest of the match, with Nigeria struggling to test Dlamini much. However, luck smile on the Nigerian ladies, who pulled one back in injury time through Rasheedat Ajibade but it was a little too late for the defending champions.
The win cements Banyana’s status as one of the tournament favourites and was only third in 11 AWCON clashes with the Super Falcons.And of the Nigerians, this maybe a deja Vu or final relinquishing of their crown as African champions.
