Nigeria’s Super Falcons are determined to end South Africa’s dream of retaining the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title when both teams meet in the semi-final of the 13th edition of the tournament in Casablanca on Tuesday.
The Super Falcons have never missed the semi-finals in the 27-year history of WAFCON. On Friday, they proved their strength again by defeating Zambia 5-0 in the quarter-finals.
South Africa’s Banyana Banyana have struggled against Nigeria over the years. It took them 17 years, from their first meeting in 1995, to finally secure a win – a narrow 1-0 victory in Equatorial Guinea in 2012. Before then, Nigeria had recorded big wins, including 7-1 and 5-0 results.
South Africa won again in the 2018 group stage but lost to Nigeria on penalties in the final, as Nigeria lifted a record ninth continental title. Three years ago, the Banyana defeated Nigeria 2-1 in another group stage clash and went on to win their first WAFCON title by beating hosts Morocco.
The debate over which team is Africa’s best – Nigeria or South Africa – will be put to the test on Tuesday evening at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium.
In their 10 previous WAFCON meetings, Nigeria have won six times, while South Africa have won three. The 2018 final ended 0-0 in regulation time before Nigeria triumphed on penalties.
Overall, both teams have faced each other 25 times since 1995. Nigeria have 15 wins, six draws, and four defeats. South Africa’s biggest victory came in 2021 when they beat a weakened Nigerian side 4-2 in Lagos. Most recently, Nigeria defeated South Africa to qualify for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament for the first time in 16 years.
At last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, both nations reached the Round of 16, but Nigeria earned more global admiration by defeating co-hosts Australia and finishing the tournament unbeaten in normal time.
In Morocco, Nigerian forward Chinwendu Ihezuo is chasing the Golden Boot award with three goals, just one behind Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak and Senegal’s Nguenar Ndiaye.
All signs point to a thrilling semi-final battle in Casablanca on Tuesday evening.
Key Nigeria vs South Africa Results:
•4 Mar 1995: Nigeria 4-1 South Africa (WCQ)
•19 Mar 1995: South Africa 1-7 Nigeria (WCQ)
•22 Nov 2008: South Africa 0-1 Nigeria (WAFCON)
•7 Nov 2012: South Africa 1-0 Nigeria (WAFCON)
•1 Dec 2018: Nigeria 0-0 South Africa (Nigeria won 4-3 on penalties)
•21 Sept 2021: Nigeria 2-4 South Africa (Aisha Buhari Cup)
•4 July 2022: South Africa 2-1 Nigeria (WAFCON)
•5 April 2024: Nigeria 1-0 South Africa (OQ)
