Nigeria’s Super Falcons are through to the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations following a hard-fought 2-1 win over holders South Africa, Afrosport reports.
A late goal from Michelle Alozie helped the nine-time African champions overcome Banyana Banyana at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca on Tuesday.
FT | Nigeria 🇳🇬 2-1 🇿🇦 South Africa
That was tense… but tell your neighbour — MISSION X is ON! 💪🏽🔥#NGARSA #MissionX #SoarSuperFalcons #WAFCON2024 pic.twitter.com/5s8g3GssBK
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) July 22, 2025
Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu named an unchanged line-up, fielding the same starting XI that thrashed Zambia 5-0 in the semi-finals.
Nigeria, hoping to prove a point, having lost to South Africa in the last edition in Morocco, enjoyed a bright start, with a brilliant save and two goal-line clearances denying them the lead.
South Africa goalkeeper Andile Dlamini thwarted Esther Okoronkwo’s close-range effort. The ball almost crept its way into net, but Tiisetso Makhubela’s initial clearance found Chinwendu Ihezuo, whose rebound was also cleared by the Banyana Banyana midfielder.
The Falcons will not be denied again, and this time, they broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the 45th minute. After a handball in the South Africa box, captain Rasheedat Ajibade dispatched the resulting spot-kick, finding the bottom corner despite Dlamini getting a hand on the ball.
Nigeria headed into the halftime break deservedly in the lead, but the tie tilted Banyana Banyana’s way in the early stages of the second half.
Desiree Ellis’s side levelled proceedings in the 60th minute through a penalty from Linda Motlhalo. The midfielder sent Chiamaka Nnadozie the wrong way after Osinachi Ohale was penalised for bringing down Hildah Magaia in the box.
With the game deadlocked and heading for extra time, Alozie stepped up with a 94th-minute winner. The right-back fired a long ball forward, which beat everyone, including Dlamini, before finding its way into the back of the net.
The Super Falcons held on to the lead through nine minutes of stoppage time and exploded into joyous celebrations following the sound of the final whistle.
THE SUPER FALCONS ARE IN THE FINAL! 🇳🇬#TotalEnergiesWAFCON2024 pic.twitter.com/r7bCoBqAwm
— CAF Women’s Football (@CAFwomen) July 22, 2025
Nigeria maintained their unbeaten record in the tournament and will play either Morocco or Ghana in the final, with the hopes of clinching a record-extending 10th African title.
