Super Falcons set for showdown with South Africa

The Super Falcons of Nigeria and Banyana Banyana of South Africa will face-off in the semi-finals of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, Morocco.

On Saturday, the South Africans defeated Senegal 4-1 on penalties in a quarter-final clash.

After 120 minutes of pulsating football at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, it was goalless between the two sides. During the resulting penalty shootout, the Banyana Banyana showed unwavering composure.

However, the teranga Lionesses of Senegal struggled, only managing one goal from their four spot-kicks, while the South African ladies scored all four with deadly accuracy.

For Saturday’s victory represents a major turning-point for the Banyana Banyana, having previously lost WAFCON penalty shootouts to Equatorial Guinea in the 2008 final and to Nigeria in the 2018 final.

Now, a mouth-watering clash of the titans awaits supporters of the South African girls and the Super Falcons of Nigeria who will meet in Tuesday’s semi-final game.

The Nigerians had on Friday secured their own semi-final ticket with a decisive 5-0 thrashing of Zambia’s Copper Queens, preserving their 100% record in the tournament.

The Super Falcons, apart from being undefeated so far, have scored eight goals without reply in four games—a demonstration of their attacking prowess and defensive solidity.

Editing by Adeniyi Bakare and Tony Okerafor