Menzi Magubane
Banyana Banyana put Nigeria’s Super Falcons to the sword in their opening Group C clash in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Monday night in Morocco.
South Africa stunned the tournament favourites by scoring two goals in three minutes to beat them 2-1.
The two sides spent the first half hour sizing each other up in a cagey opening period. Thereafter the chances came thick and fast.
Banyana’s most promising route to a goal appeared to be from a corner, but their crosses were consistently knocked away by the tall Nigerian players. The match went to the interval goalless.
In the 61st minute Banyana took the lead via a good finish from Jamaine Seoposenwe. Less than three minutes later, Hilda Magaila made it two for Banyana courtesy of an assist from captain Refiole Jane.
The Nigerians were stunned and lost complete control of the match. For the next period, Banyana made sure that there was no coming back.
Then, out of nowhere in the dying embers of the game, Rasheed Ajibade pulled one back for Nigeria but it proved to be too little too late as Banyana Banyana saw the game out.
The win gave Banyana a good chance to progress to the knockout stages. They next play Burundi on Thursday and will take on neighbours Botswana on Sunday.
