The South African Women’s team, Banyana Banyana on Saturday at the Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium, Rabat defeated their Moroccan counterparts 2-1 in the finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco.
The thrilling final, which was dominated by Banyana Banyana could not produce any goals in the first half of the encounter as both teams, which have recorded impressive outings in the tournament before the finals, were cautious in their attacks and defensive moves. And the first half ended 0-0.
The South Africans continued with their dominance in the second half of the game and their efforts paid off in the 63rd minute when Hildah Magaia tapped the ball into the net from a perfect cross from Jermaine Seoposenwe, who collected a loose ball that was almost crossing the line for a goal kick for the opening goal for South Africa.
Magaia got her brace in the 71st minute of the game when she connected a cross from Karabo Dhlamini, which the Moroccan defenders failed to stop and shot pass the goalkeeper to bring the score line to 2-0.
With the new score line, the Moroccans made some double changes and mounted pressure on the defence of the Banyana Banyana, searching for their opening goal. And nine minutes later, Rosella Ayanein scored the lone goal of the Moroccans in the 80th minute, when she collected a beautiful pass from her teammate, Fatima Tagnaout, and tapped the ball into the net to bring the score line to 2-1.
The pressure mounted by the Moroccans for the equalizer was warded off by the South Africans, who held on till the end of regulation time and the 9-minute extra time for the thrilling finals of the tournament.
For the Banyana Banyana, it is a dream come true after five previous attempts to win the continental trophy and appearing as finalists. Apart from clinching the trophy, they emerged as the best team of the tournament with 100 percent record, winning all their 6 matches in the tournament. The South African goalkeeper was also named the best goalkeeper of the tournament.
Meanwhile, South Africa, Morocco, Zambia and Nigeria will represent Africa in next year’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
GIK/APA