Nigeria: Defending Champions Banyana Banyana Crash Out of Wafcon After Nigeria Defeat

22 July 2025
Daily Maverick (Johannesburg)

Banyana Bayana's Women's Africa Cup of Nations title defence came to an end with a 2-1 defeat on Tuesday to Nigeria in a semifinal of the Morocco-hosted tournament.

Clashes between Banyana Banyana and Nigeria's Super Falcons are always gladiatorial, and theirs is one of the biggest rivalries in women's soccer.

The Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) meeting between the two on Tuesday, 22 July at Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca was poised to be another colourful chapter in this long-standing rivalry. It ended in a 2-1 victory to Nigeria after a tense 96-minute battle.

Nigeria opened the scoring on the cusp of half-time after Bambanani Mbane was penalised for an unfortunate handball. Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade squeezed her spot-kick into the back of the net, past goalkeeper Andile Dlamini.

On 56 minutes, South Africa won a penalty, which was eventually ratified after a lengthy video assistant referee review. Up stepped playmaker Linda Motlhalo to calmly convert and bring Banyana Banyana level.

This goal shifted the momentum firmly in South Africa's favour, with Desiree Ellis's team creating several opportunities, but they were unable to capitalise on this rare period of dominance.

A chain of unfortunate events

The wind was...

Read the full story on Daily Maverick.

Tagged:
Copyright © 2025 Daily Maverick. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

AllAfrica publishes around 600 reports a day from more than 90 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.