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 knocked out of their sails when they lost left winger Gabriela Salgado to a horrific leg injury late in the second half. The Banyana Banyana players were visibly distraught at losing their teammate in that manner, and they never recovered