Banyana Banyana lost 2-1 to Nigeria in the semi-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium on Tuesday.
The Super Falcons drew blood first from the penalty spot through captain Rasheedat Ajibade in the first half which was cancelled by Linda Motlhalo’s spot-kick in the second and the winner coming from Alozie in injury-time.
There were two changes in the Banyana line-up from the win over Senegal. Bongeka Gamede and Gabriela Salgado started ahead of Sibulele Holweni and Hildah Magaia, while Amogelang Motau was out of the match day squad.
The game kicked off with high intensity with Nigeria firing the first warnings shot in the opening five minutes. Andile Dlamini was called to make early saves.
Banyana regained possession and won a set-piece after Jermaine Seoposenwe was brought down. Karabo Dhlamini sent the ball to Seoposenwe whose header was an easy save for the Nigerian goalkeeper.
The Super Falcons persisted with their attack on Banyana through Ihezuo Chinwendu but Dlamini again stood her ground denying them a goal. Banyana could have broken the deadlock in 18th minute when Refiloe Jane connected with Seoposenwe but the latter’s last touch wasn’t too troubling for the Nigerian keeper.
Lebohang Ramalepe saw Chiamaka Nnadozie off her line and took long range shot but missed the target as the ball landed on the net.
Magaia who came on as a substitute for the injured Tiisetso Makhubela had a chance four minutes later to score but her effort went wide. Nigeria had the final say in the half winning a penalty after Bambanani Mbane’s hand ball in her box. Ajibade converted to give her side a 1-0 lead at half-time.
Banyana were under pressure early on in the second half from Ajibade with Dlamini spilling a catch but Fikile Magama cleared the ball off the goal line.
But then Linda Motlahlo took matters into her hands in the 50th minute from range but her attempt didn’t trouble Nnadozie. Nine minutes from that Banyana won a penalty after Magaia was brought down in the box. Motlhalo stepped up to level for the defending champions.
Seoposenwe connected with Noxolo Cesane in the 73rd minute but the latter’s effort was blocked.
Gabriela Salgado suffered a serious injury and was stretched off the pitch in the dying minutes of the game, which left many of her teammates in tears and distress.
Nigeria stole the headlines in injury-time through Alozie to hand Banyana another blow after the Salgado injury, with the defending champions now playing for third place, while the Super Falcons reached their 10th final.