The Banyana Banyana of South Africa on Saturday the 23rd of July defeated hosts Atlas Lionesses of Morocco 2-1 to win this year’s 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Rabat, Morocco.
South African star, Hildah Magaia scored twice to earn her side a comfortable victory.
They ended a run of five finals without success by emerging the champions with a 100 per cent record.
This was after they secured qualification to next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand.
Magaia tapped in an excellent cutback from Jermaine Seoposenwe, who ran onto a long ball out of defence.
It helped her to create the opening goal as she held off the defence to provide an expert pass in the 63rd minute.
It took the sting out of a frenzied atmosphere created by a sell-out crowd at the Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium.
This was the venue where only weeks earlier South Africa’s men had lost to Morocco in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.
Magaia then doubled the lead in the 71st minute with another close finish, this time from a cross out wide from Karabo Dhlamini which Morocco’s defence failed to cut out.
But a lapse in concentration saw South Africa lose possession.
It offered Morocco hope of a comeback as Rosella Ayane pulled one back in the 80th minute after being set up by Fatima Tagnaout.
This meant an anxious last 10 minutes for Desiree Ellis’ team —- plus another nine minutes of referee’s time added on —- before they could get their hands on the trophy.