Banyana Banyana Crowned Champions Of The Continent After Stunning Morocco In The WAFCON Final
South Africa’s women national football team Banyana Banyana were crowned the new champions of the continent after they beat hosts Morocco to win a maiden Women’s Africa Cup of Nation title on Saturday. Following their winning streak in the tournament, Banyana edged the home side to lift the WAFCON trophy for the very first time. The tightly-contested final saw a world-class performance from coach Desiree Ellis’s team to overcome the intimidating home atmosphere, defeating the Moroccans by two goals to one.
After a goalless first half, striker Hildah Magaia put Banyana Banyana in the lead when she beat Moroccan goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi with a clinical finish in the 63rd minute. The goal was a result of a flawless assist from the left by hard-running Jermaine Seoposenwe.
Magaia was at the double in the 71st minute, finishing neatly by dinking the ball over the onrushing Er-Rmichi who made a hash of her attempted clearance from a Karabo Dhlamini cross from wide.
The hosts fought back and ensured it would be a nervy ending for their home crowd when Moroccan striker Rosella Ayane scored a goal in the 80th minute. However, Banyana were able to hold on for the win, despite nine minutes of added time at the end of the match.
Banyana Banyana’s victory ended their run of five finals without success in the tournament, with their last attempt having been against rivals and former WAFCON champions, Nigeria.
Coach Desiree Ellis said Banyana’s victory had been a long time coming. “When we walked out and saw the sea of red, I was not perturbed. You could see the focus on the players’ faces, they were not perturbed. The players were really determined and from the first moment, you could see that they wanted to win it. Today they showed true kasi flavour and the South African spirit and togetherness all came together”, said Desiree.
Individual performances were also recognised and applauded as Andile Dlamini walked away with the “Goalkeeper of the Tournament” award at a ceremony held before the official handover of the trophy to the new champions. The accolades on the night kept coming as South Africa was also named the women’s “National Team of the Year.”
Banyana Banyana are expected to return home on Tuesday where South Africans can give them a warm welcome at the OR Tambo International Airport.
