By Kehinde Okeowo
South Africa’s senior female football team, Banyana Banyana, defeated Nigeria’s Super Falcons 4-2 to lift the inaugural edition of the Aisha Buhari Cup.
In a match played at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, the Nigerian side initially showed some zeal.
They, however, gifted the South African team the first goal of the match when the defender, Alozie Chidi, scored an own goal in the fifth minute of the game.
The goal seemed to have spurred the Banyana Banyana on, as they began to dictate the pace.
Their total domination of the game was rewarded in the 17th minute when Linda Motlhalo scored from the penalty spot after Onome Ebi gave away a spot kick.
Falcons thought they had pulled a goal back when striker, Desire Oparanozie, scored, but the goal was ruled offside by the referee.
The Southern African nation then went ahead to compound the woes of the host nation when Gabriel Salgado made it 3-0 in 44th minute to end the half in favour of the visiting team.
Nigerians came back with a renewed vigour in the second half, as substitute Vivian Ikechuckwu, reduced the deficit when she scored in the 47th minute to make the score 3-1.
The super sub continued to impress as she got a brace in the 53rd minute to make the match 3-2 and keep hope alive.
The Super Falcons toiled thereafter for an equaliser but all to no avail.
Instead, the South Africans were awarded another penalty, which was converted in the 89th minute by Mamello Makhabena to end the game at 4-2 in favour of the visitors and put an end to a miserable afternoon for the Super Falcons.