Banyana Banyana of South Africa won their first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title after they defeated the host nation, Morocco, in Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Saturday, July 23, 2022.
The South African team played a barren draw in the first half against the host team that was also eager to clinch the title having reached the first-ever WAFCON final on their home soil.
In the course of processing the match, both teams tackled each other closely while looking for the opportunity to take the lead in the highly competitive clash.
South Africa were the first to take the lead on the resumption of the second half through Hildah Maigaia’s 63-minute goal.
The 27-year-old South African who is from a football-loving family and plays for Swedish club Moron BK, got a brace in 8 minutes after, putting the 2018 runners-up in Ghana in a decisive position.
However, Rosella Ayane responded for the Moroccan women in the 80th minute to reduce the deficit but was not sufficient enough to upturn the scoreline as Banyana Banyana courted home the WAFCON trophy in grand style.
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Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium was occupied to capacity by the home supporters to charge their women’s team to victory ahead of coach Desiree Ellis’ side but that did not derail the determined South African women, who shrugged off the pressure, from getting their desired victory.
According to the results recorded by all the teams in the 12th WAFCON tournament in Morocco, Banyana Banyana were the only side that recorded 100% victory in the competition, winning all matches right from the
group stage to the final cracker where they humble the Moroccan women to a 2-1 defeat.
At the conclusion of the tournament, South Africa’s shot-stopper, Andile Dlamini, was named the goalkeeper of the tournament while Ghizlane Chebbak of Morocco emerged as the Woman of the competition.
The Trumpet reports that South Africa, according to records, have played a total of 62 WAFCON matches since their first outing in 1995 and statistically won 31 games, drew 8 and lost 23 of the encounters.
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