Nigeria’s Super Falcons have affirmed that their mission to reclaim the Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title remains steadfast, vowing to defeat their South African counterparts when they clash in the second semifinal of the ongoing WAFCON 2024 finals in Casablanca today.
In the competition’s 27-year history, the Super Falcons have never failed to reach the semifinals, and the boastful Zambians proved too feeble to disrupt that record when the two teams met in the quarterfinals on Friday, resulting in a commanding 5-0 victory for the Super Falcons.
Traditionally, South Africa’s Banyana Banyana have posed a significant challenge for the Nigerian team over the decades. It took the Rainbow Nation’s team 17 years, following their first encounter in March 1995, to secure a victory over the Falcons—a 1-0 win in a Women’s AFCON match in Equatorial Guinea 13 years ago. Prior to that, they suffered heavy defeats, including a 7-1 and a 5-0 thrashing.
The Banyana claimed another Women’s AFCON victory in Ghana in 2018 (during the group stage) but faced heartbreak in a penalty shootout in the final, which earned Nigeria their ninth continental title. Three years ago, the Banyana had the upper hand once more in a group stage match (2-1) before going on to win their first African title after overcoming the host nation, Morocco.
Debate has been intense in recent weeks regarding which team is the best in Africa—between the Falcons and the Banyana—and that question will be addressed at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium this evening.
In ten previous Women’s AFCON encounters between the two nations, Nigeria has emerged victorious on six occasions, while South Africa has won three times. The only match that ended in a draw (the 2018 Women’s AFCON Final) was eventually clinched by Nigeria after a penalty shootout.
Today’s semifinal clash not only offers a ticket to the final but also features a prize of $500,000 for the eventual winners, following a 100% increase in the prize money for the champions of the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON Morocco 2024. Both Nigeria and South Africa have already secured a prize of $300,000 for reaching the semifinals and will strive to elevate this sum to $500,000 when they face each other later today at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium.
Ahead of the semifinal match, Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis expressed hope that fatigue does not play a role. South Africa and Senegal could not be separated after 120 minutes in their quarterfinal tie at the Honneur Stadium on Saturday, with the defending champions progressing following a 4-1 victory in the shootout.
Nigeria remains unbeaten in Morocco and has declared its intent following a remarkable 5-0 demolition of Zambia in the quarterfinals.
“As a technical team, we are already positioned on one side, discussing our strategy and preparations. Playing 120 minutes with a day less to prepare and a day spent travelling is demanding,” stated Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis. “There is a fire, and a collective memory. We understand the significance of this match and know what it takes to overcome Nigeria.”
Super Falcons Vs Banyana Banyana Head-to-head
– 4 Mar 1995: Nigeria 4 South Africa 1 (WCq)
– 19 Mar 1995: South Africa 1 Nigeria 7 (WCq)
– 25 Nov 2000: South Africa 0 Nigeria 2 (WAfcon)
– 18 Dec 2002: Nigeria 5 South Africa 0 (WAfcon)
– 30 Mar 2003: South Africa 0 Nigeria 3 (Friendly)
– 11 Oct 2003: Nigeria 1 South Africa 0 (AfGames)
– 12 Mar 2004: South Africa 2 Nigeria 2 (Oq)
– 28 Mar 2004: Nigeria 1 South Africa 0 (Oq)
– 9 July 2007: South Africa 2 Nigeria 2 (AfGames)
– 18 July 2007: South Africa 0 Nigeria 4 (AfGames)
– 28 July 2008: Nigeria 5 South Africa 0 (Oq)
– 12 Aug 2008: South Africa 0 Nigeria 1 (Oq)
– 22 Nov 2008: South Africa 0 Nigeria 1 (WAfcon)
– 4 Nov 2010: South Africa I Nigeria 2 (WAfcon)
– 3 June 2012: South Africa 1 Nigeria 1 (Friendly)
– 23 June 2012: Nigeria 0 South Africa 0 (Friendly)
– 7 Nov 2012: South Africa 1 Nigeria 0 (WAfcon)
– 22 Oct 2014: South Africa 1 Nigeria 2 (WAfcon)
– 29 Nov 2016: Nigeria 1 South Africa 0 (WAfcon)
– 18 Nov 2018: South Africa 1 Nigeria 0 (WAfcon)
– 1 Dec 2018: Nigeria 0 South Africa 0 (WAfcon) – Nigeria won 4-3 on penalties
– 21 Sept 2021: Nigeria 2 South Africa 4 (Aisha Buhari Cup)
– 4 July 2022: South Africa 2 Nigeria 1 (WAfcon)
– 5 April 2024: Nigeria 1 South Africa 0 (Oq)
– 9 April 2024: South Africa 0 Nigeria 0 (Oq)
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