THE Super Falcons of Nigeria’s quest for a 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) was kept alive today as they defeated South Africa 2-1 in the first semi-final in Casablanca, Morocco.
Michelle Alozie struck in stoppage time to hand the nine-time African champions the dramatic victory over the defending champions, who had fought back after conceding first.
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade opened the scoring for the Super Falcons, while Linda Motlhalo pulled Banyana Banyana level, both goals from the penalty spot.
The Super Falcons dominated most of the first half and should have been at least 2-0 up at the break.
South Africa goalkeeper Andile Dlamini was in superb form, making some key saves, and was involved in the most dramatic moment of the opening period.
Dlamini made a brave one-on-one stop against Esther Okoronkwo, who looked certain to score in the 11th minute, and Tiisetso Makhubela then cleared off the line as Chinwendu Ihezuo struck.
The Super Falcons then got the breakthrough they fully deserved when they were awarded a penalty for handball one minute to half-time.
Ajibade stepped up to convert low to the right, although Dlamini got her hands on the ball before it slipped through.
South Africa equalised on the hour mark after Osinachi Ohale pulled back an attacker, and a penalty was awarded to Banyana Banyana.
Motlhalo sent Chiamaka Nnadozie the wrong way from the spot to make the score 1-1.
The goal gave South Africa some confidence and they began to look like the more likely team to score next, even forcing the Super Falcons into a goal-line clearance by Ohale after Nnadozie had been beaten late on.
But the Super Falcons worked their way back into the game and Alozie’s long punt in the fourth minute of stoppage time caused chaos in the South Africa box, leaving Dlamini flailing as the ball sailed into the net.
South Africa also lost Gabriela Salgado to what appeared to be a nasty injury as she went down from a challenge in the Banyana Banyana box six minutes from time, causing distress to both teams’ players before she was stretchered off.