By Deborah Nnamdi
South Africa have booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and are set for a blockbuster clash against arch-rivals Nigeria’s Super Falcons at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, Morocco.
Banyana Banyana advanced after a dramatic quarter-final against Senegal on Saturday, prevailing 4-1 on penalties following a goalless draw across regulation and extra time.
Nigeria, meanwhile, cruised into the last four with a commanding 5-0 victory over Zambia’s Copper Queens on Friday, maintaining their flawless run in the tournament. The Super Falcons remain unbeaten, having scored eight goals and conceded none in four matches—a testament to their firepower in attack and discipline in defense.
With the quarter-finals wrapped up, attention now turns to the semi-finals, and the headline fixture is undoubtedly the Nigeria-South Africa showdown—a rematch loaded with history and rivalry.
The two powerhouses last met at WAFCON 2022, also in Morocco, where South Africa claimed a narrow 1-0 win in the group stage. That victory was a measure of revenge for their heart-breaking loss to Nigeria in the 2018 final.
Heading into Tuesday’s encounter, Nigeria are brimming with confidence, bolstered by their dominant form and rock-solid backline. South Africa, on the other hand, will be eager to replicate their 2022 success and deny the nine-time champions another title shot.
In the other semi-final, host nation Morocco will take on Ghana’s Black Queens, also on Tuesday, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to this year’s tournament.
