South Africa coach, Desire Ellis, will be hugely-satisfied for winning as a coach after failing as a player, losing in the final 22 years ago
South Africa finally lifted the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after decades of heartbreak and four previous final failures after beating host nation Morocco 2-1.
Hilda Magaia proved Banyana Banyana’s hero, scoring two quick goals midway through the second half to finally guide South Africa over the line.
Although Rosella Ayane pulled a goal back for the Atlas Lionesses ten minutes from time, it was too little too late for a team making its first appearance in the final.
South Africa had lost their four previous finals, in 2000, 2008, 2012 and 2018.
Banyana Banyana coach, Desire Ellis, will be hugely-satisfied for winning as a coach after failing as a player, losing in the final 22 years ago
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After yet another defeat last time out, at the hands of Nigeria in 2018, South Africa entered this tournament with a so-called ‘mindset coach’ to improve their positivity.
They needed real composure throughout the game to silence a raucous home crowd that had filled the stadium at least two hours before kick-off, and which lit up the Rabat sky with dozens of red and white flares during the game.
The first half was a tense affair, with no chances on target from either side, but the game burst into life when Magaia latched onto Jermaine Seoposenwe’s cutback just after the hour to give South Africa their first goal.
Morocco coach Reynald Pedros rang the changes in a desperate bid to get back into the game and was rewarded when Tottenham Hotspur’s Ayane reduced arrears to give the hosts belief, ending goalkeeper Andile Dlamini’s run of over six hours without conceding.
In the 98th minute, center-back Yasmin Mrabet rose to meet a teasing cross from substitute Ghizlane Chirri but as the ball sailed over the crossbar, so Morocco’s hopes of a shock title faded away.
Nonetheless, the host nation can reflect on not only staging a hugely-successful tournament but also achieving a maiden Women’s World Cup qualification when reaching the semi-finals.
Banyana Banyana was the only side to win all six of their matches in the competition, they now join Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea as the three countries to have won the competition.
Apart from becoming African champions, they will travel to next year’s Women’s World Cup as runner-up Morocco, third-placed Zambia and nine-time champions Nigeria.
BBC