South Africa has finally won the African Women’s Cup of Nations after five failures to reach the last step (1995, 2000, 2008, 2012 and 2018). On 23 July in Rabat, the South African women put an end to long years of frustration. Frustrations often experienced against the Nigerians, who have won 11 of the 13 previous editions.
This Saturday at the Prince Moulay Abdallah stadium, it was not the Super Falcons that Banyana Banyana were facing in the final of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, but the Moroccans. The North Africans pushed them around during a rather closed first half.
Then, in the second half, two flashes of brilliance from striker Hildah Magaia (63rd and 71st) gave the visitors the lead. A flat-footed strike from striker Rosella Ayane (80th) gave the Atlas Lionesses the chance to dream of a comeback and extra time. But despite nine minutes of stoppage time, they were unable to equalize.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe brought the trophy to his compatriots. South Africa, which won all six of its matches in the competition, is the African champion. They will compete in the 2023 World Cup alongside Morocco (2nd), Zambia (3rd) and Nigeria (4th). A result that concludes an edition brilliantly organized by Morocco.