Banyana Banyana gear up for formidable Nigeria at Wafcon after downing Senegal on penalties
Banyana Banyana beat Senegal 4-1 on penalties in their Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) quarterfinal clash. Despite helping the South Africans reach the semifinals, the overall performance the team put on to obtain that result is one Desiree Ellis and her charges will be keen to quickly forget.
Following a sluggish and lacklustre 120 minutes of soccer against a Senegal team which was intent on causing the biggest upset of the tournament by ousting the defending African champions, the contest ended 0-0 at Oudja's Honneur Stadium. Despite enjoying a large chunk of ball possession, the South Africans did not create any real chances in those two hours of football.
Heroine Dlamini
Then up stepped Banyana Banyana goalkeeper Andile 'Sticks' Dlamini. The Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies goalminder shut out two Senegalese spot kicks, while centre back Bambanani Mbane confidently struck the winning penalty for South Africa as they navigated to the semifinals.
'I said the game was not going to be easy, I said it was going to be a difficult game because of the group they were in and how they got out. We didn't expect anything less,' said Ellis.
'The first 15 minutes we showed a bit of nerves, trying to get into the game, but once we got into the game we nullified the threat, their two tall strikers. We dealt very well with their long ball, but sometimes we gave the ball away too cheaply… Senegal has improved from the last time we played them, the coach has done a fantastic job,' the Banyana Banyana coach added.
'We have been practising penalties, and we knew who our kickers were going to be and that's why we made the changes we made. We always knew that Andile could save one or two – she had done it before.
This was our first penalty shootout victory at Wafcon; we lost it in 2006 and in 2018 in the final. I don't have enough words to describe this team – the resilience, the courage, the never-say-die attitude, the willingness to fight for each other. No matter what they threw at us we were able to withstand that,' Ellis stated.
Super Falcons date
In the semifinals awaits a Nigerian team which flexed its muscles in a 5-0 drubbing of a strong Zambia side in their own quarterfinal outing on Friday. It's clear that the South Africans will have to be much sharper than they were against Senegal.
On the other hand, Banyana Banyana's clashes against record Wafcon winners Nigeria (with 11 titles) are always epic. The South Africans will need no motivation against their sworn rivals. Especially after the Super Falcons denied Banyana Banyana Olympic Games qualification in 2024.
After successfully navigating the earlier rounds of Olympic qualifiers, Banyana Banyana and Nigeria were pitted against each other for the fourth and final round of qualifiers. In that close contest the Super Falcons soared to a slender 1-0 aggregate win over two legs.
The result broke South Africa's hearts and condemned Banyana Banyana to a second successive Olympic qualification failure – despite their prominence on the African continent.
This result may now be buried deep in Banyana Banyana's subconscious, but it is likely to resurface as fuel when Ellis's team aims for the Super Falcons on Tuesday. Traditionally, the Nigerians have enjoyed the most success in this fierce rivalry, hence their 11 continental titles to Banyana's one.
Momentum shift
However, over the past five years the tide has shifted slightly in favour of the South Africans. The Olympic qualification result was an anomaly based on recent results and Banyana Banyana will be hoping to prove it as such by doing what they did on the way to winning the 2022 Wafcon – beating Nigeria.
Having been based in the city of Oudja since the tournament started, Banyana Banyana will now relocate to Casablanca. This is where the Super Falcons have been based for the tournament, something which Ellis feels will be a minor disadvantage for her team.
'As the technical team, our heads are already on planning for Nigeria. We played 120 minutes and we have a day less than Nigeria to prepare. We'll also have to travel, which takes a lot out of you,' Ellis stated.
Banyana Banyana's mammoth match against Nigeria kicks off at 6pm. The other semifinal, between host nation Morocco and the Black Queens of Ghana, takes place three hours later. DM
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Maverick
39 minutes ago
- Daily Maverick
Defending champions Banyana Banyana crash out of Wafcon after Nigeria defeat
Banyana Bayana's Women's Africa Cup of Nations title defence came to an end with a 2-1 defeat on Tuesday to Nigeria in a semifinal of the Morocco-hosted tournament. Clashes between Banyana Banyana and Nigeria's Super Falcons are always gladiatorial, and theirs is one of the biggest rivalries in women's soccer. The Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) meeting between the two on Tuesday, 22 July at Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca was poised to be another colourful chapter in this long-standing rivalry. It ended in a 2-1 victory to Nigeria after a tense 96-minute battle. Nigeria opened the scoring on the cusp of half-time after Bambanani Mbane was penalised for an unfortunate handball. Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade squeezed her spot-kick into the back of the net, past goalkeeper Andile Dlamini. On 56 minutes, South Africa won a penalty, which was eventually ratified after a lengthy video assistant referee review. Up stepped playmaker Linda Motlhalo to calmly convert and bring Banyana Banyana level. This goal shifted the momentum firmly in South Africa's favour, with Desiree Ellis's team creating several opportunities, but they were unable to capitalise on this rare period of dominance. A chain of unfortunate events The wind was knocked out of their sails when they lost left winger Gabriela Salgado to a horrific leg injury late in the second half. The Banyana Banyana players were visibly distraught at losing their teammate in that manner, and they never recovered. Michelle Alozie's searching cross from the right wing on 94 minutes somehow evaded everyone in the Banyana box, including charging goalkeeper Dlamini, as it trickled into the goal. The unexpected blow came against the run of play, with extra-time seeming the most likely next chapter of this semifinal story. Sluggish campaign Banyana Banyana did not display the same swagger that helped them clinch their maiden title in 2022. Except for the 4-0 demolition of Mali in the group stage, the team were sluggish throughout this Wafcon campaign. Following this defeat, it's back to the drawing board for South Africa's senior women's soccer side. But first they must fight for the bronze medal. 'Yes, Banyana Banyana did not win the game. But there's still a lot to fight for. They still need to deliver that bronze medal to Gabriela. She deserves a medal. Even Jermaine Seoposenwe [who is retiring] deserves to leave with a bronze medal. So, one more game to go,' said Banyana midfielder Kholosa Biyana on SuperSport. As for the Nigerians, they now have a massive chance to win their 10th title since this continental competition became the Wafcon in 1998. Old rivals The feud between Banyana Banyana and Nigeria dates back to the 1995 edition of the continental tournament, when it was still known as the African Women's Championship. Banyana Banyana and Nigeria met in the final, with the Super Falcons soaring to a ruthless 11-2 aggregate victory in the two-legged decider. In the years that followed, the rivalry has blossomed, with the Nigerians enjoying the most success. At Wafcon, the teams had met five times in the semifinals before the tussle in Casablanca, with the Super Falcons losing only once during those last-four meetings. The most recent encounter between the two at the tournament ended in a 2-1 victory for Banyana Banyana in the group stage of the 2022 edition. Banyana were always going to have a tough task when they came up against a Super Falcons team that was high in confidence after tearing apart Zambia 5-0 in the quarterfinals. The Nigerians were yet to concede a goal at the tournament. Banyana Banyana, on the other hand, scraped into the semifinals after beating Senegal 4-1 on penalties. While Banyana Banyana had dominated recent competitive fixtures between the two teams, the turning point came during the Paris Olympic Games qualifiers in 2024. The Nigerians won 1-0 on aggregate over two legs to book their ticket to France at the expense of the South Africans. Their victory in Morocco is a clear indication that the Nigerians are once again asserting their dominance in this rivalry. DM
TimesLIVE
39 minutes ago
- TimesLIVE
Bayanda Walaza wins Universiade 100m crown on profitable day for SA
Bayanda Walaza became the third South African to win the World Student Games 100m crown as he claimed South Africa's third gold medal of the 2025 showpiece in Germany on Tuesday night. The world junior champion crossed the line in 10.16sec as he downed Puripol Boonson of Thailand, the same man he beat at the under-20 global competition in Peru last year. Anaso Jobodwana was the first South African to win this crown in 2013 and Akani Simbine followed in 2015 — and now there's 19-year-old Walaza, who has added the Universiade title to his age-group crowns and Olympic 4x100m silver medal. But it wasn't all plain sailing for the Tshwane University of Technology student, who survived anxious moments in the semifinals. Walaza escaped a false start after one of his rivals twitched in his blocks before his own indiscretion. Then the field was called back for a faulty start and when they finally got under way for real at the third firing of the gun, Walaza didn't get away as cleanly as normal. But he did enough to win his heat by one-hundredth of a second. He made no mistake in the final to cap a profitable day for South Africa with no fewer than four medals on the day. In the women's 100m Gabriella Marais ended third in 10.51, seven-hundredths of a second behind Australia winner Georgia Harris. Colette Uys took bronze in the women's shot put with a heave of 17.34m, just 1cm in front of compatriot Mine de Klerk. Olivia Nel landed her third medal of the gala as she claimed bronze in the women's 50m backstroke in 27.91sec, breaking her own African record set earlier in the competition. Then she won the first semifinal heat of the women's 50m freestyle, clocking 24.96, the second-fastest time of the evening. Nel's podium finish added to the two bronze medals claimed in relay races, one of which she won alongside twin Georgia, in the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay.
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Heartbreak for Banyana Banyana as Nigeria claims victory in Wafcon semi-final
BANYANA Banyana midfielder Linda Motlhalo challenged by Rasheedat Ajibade of Nigeria during the semi-final of the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Casablanca. Motlhalo scored a second half as South Africa lost 2-1 as the game finished with traumatic scenes due Gabriela Slagado injury. | BackpagePix Incredulously none of them did and goalkeeper Dlamini had somewhat expected them to redirect the ball to her right and went that way. But the ball bounced and trickled into the net untouched. Extra time loomed large when an innocuous-looking punt from the middle of the pitch by Michelle Alozie found its way into the box. The Banyana defenders went to sleep, leaving two Nigerian strikers in the position to connect with the ball. South Africa's senior national team were knocked out of the Total Energies Women's Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday night in Casablanca, Desiree Ellis' team losing 2-1 to bitter rivals Nigeria who are now set to become continental champions a record extending 10th time. THE TITLE defence dream has gone up in smoke. Banyana Banyaya's reign as African champions is over. Congratulations to Banyana Banyana!🇿🇦 You have made South Africa proud with your dedication, resilience and excellence on the field. 🫶🏾⚽ It was a heartbreaking way for Banyana to lose a match they'd appeared to have salvaged with an improved second half performance after they'd gone to the break a goal down after conceding a penalty. Bambanani Mbane had handled the ball in the box as she attempted to stop an attacker and Super Falcons skipper Rasheedat Ajibades duly converted although Dlamini had gone the right way and actually got her hand to the ball but not enough to keep it out. Banyana equalized from the spot kick also via star player Linda Motlhalo after Hilda Magaia was pulled back and down inside the danger box. The match was see-sawing from one end to the other, with Banyana actually enjoying the upper hand when Gaby Salgado suffered a horrific injury that sent the players near the incident holding their heads in shock, calling for immediate help and then crying. The winger who had missed the 2022 tournament due to injury broke her leg during a goalmouth scramble as the Super Falcons went in search for the winner. The injury knocked the wind out of Banyana's sails as they lost the momentum they'd enjoyed earlier on. Still, it appeared the match would head into the extended half an hour period with just a few minutes left to play. And it looked as though Banyana were playing for time, no doubt keen to recalibrate following Salgado's injury. But Nigeria had other ideas and they pumped the ball forward in hope. That long punt looked set to be cleared, but with no Banyana player jumping up to head it clear it fell right in front of Dlamini and went the other way into the net, with Karabo Dhlamini's attempts to kick it out probing in vain as she only connected with it long after it had crossed the line. And just like that, Banyana's hopes of winning the continental title a second time was gone. Though they had enjoyed the lion's share of possession in the first half, it was Nigeria who had looked dangerous as they made the more promising attacks and forced some good saves out of Dlamini early on. The player nicknamed Sticks thwarted the Super Falcons in the eighth and 11th minute, with Tiisetso Makhubela clearing the ball off the line. Banyana had a brilliant chance to take the lead on 40 minutes but Hilda Magaia scuffed the ball wide of the goal when faced with just the goalkeeper. Nigeria then took the lead three minutes thereafter. The second half was barely ten minutes old when Motlhlalo equalized and Banyana should have gone ahead on 72 minutes after a great Salgado cross fell for Noxolo Cesane. The substitute did well to stab the ball through the legs of the Nigerian goalkeeper but not strong enough for it to go over the line as a SuperFlancos defender managed to clear it before it went in. Jermaine Seoposenwe then had a free shot on goal from the edge of the box but she succeeded in disturbing the Casablanca bats' flying pattern instead of finding the target. Salgado's horrific injury brought an eerie hush into the arena before the crowd stood as one and applauded her –as she was being stretchered off the pitch. Normality returned when Nigeria scored the winner that ended the dreams of Banyana bringing the title back home from Morocco a second time. They will now have to strive to get the consolation third place bronze medals while Nigeria will look to win their 10th title.
