Nigeria scaled perhaps the biggest threat to their ambitions of a winning a 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) trophy when Michelle Alozie heaved in a late goal as they dispatched defending champions South Africa 2-1 in the semifinals on Tuesday night.
Alozie’s winner came after Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade‘s penalty, which gave Nigeria the lead in the first half, was canceled by Linda Motlhalo scoring one of her own for Banyana Banyana in the second stanza.
Nigeria have looked the best team at this tournament by a long way, and, unless they self-implode spectacularly, it is hard to see Morocco, who beat Ghana 4-2 on penalties after they finished 1-1 in regulation and extra time, preventing them from fulfilling “Mission X“.
The Super Falcons did not look particularly troubled for large swathes of the game against South Africa, and they were fairly comfortable until Osinachi Ohale‘ s rush of blood that saw her pull Hildah Magaia from behind to gift Banyana Banyana a penalty.
The defending champions grew in confidence after the goal, and created chances, but they did not unduly trouble the Super Falcons.
On the strength of their performances in Morocco, Nigeria will be heavy favourites going into Saturday’s final in Rabat.
Nigeria continue to show ‘bouncebackability’
This semifinals victory means Nigeria are just one more win from maintaining up their record of reclaiming the WAFCON title each time they have lost it.
Only two countries other than Nigeria have won the WAFCON title: Equatorial Guinea (2008, 2012) and South Africa (2022).
Nigeria won the first five editions before they were stopped by Equatorial Guinea in the 2008 semifinals. But they bounced back to win the next tournament in 2010. Two years later, they were again turned back in the semifinals — this time by South Africa. But the Super Falcons took revenge in the next edition, beating South Africa 2-1 in the semis then reclaiming the trophy by beating Cameroon in the final.
With this appearance in the final, after losing to Morocco in the 2022 semis, they are closer to keeping up that excellent record.
South Africa changed tack
Whenever these two teams have met, especially in recent years, the difference in styles has always been stark: South Africa dominated the possession and passing game, and Nigeria offering the more direct, physical approach.
It is perhaps a testament to the strength of the current Nigeria team that South Africa’s coach, Desiree Ellis, tweaked her tactics for this semifinal, going into a mid block and trying to get to Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie with quick transitions and direct vertical balls.
The Super Falcons for the majority of the first three quarters of the game, edged the possession and passing game, and they really should have been at least two goals up before Ajibade converted her penalty.
This performance shows how far the Super Falcons have come since the 2022 WAFCON; then, they looked out of sorts, especially after losing their opening game to South Africa.
But the team has matured, settled, and grown so much in stature that Ellis ditched her regular game plan and ceded possession, with their intent clear from kick-off when they kicked the ball straight into the Nigeria half for their forwards to chase and create a half-chance.
Only Tunisia and Zambia have tried to play an open game against Nigeria at this tournament; it did not end well for either, and South Africa took heed.
Morocco might want to rethink any ideas of trying to trade punches with the Super Falcons, and take a more conservative mid- to low-block tack if they hope to win the final.
Ed Dove discusses Nigeria’s 2-1 win over South Africa in the WAFCON, and how it was overshadowed by an injury to Gabriela Salgado.
Chiamaka Nnadozie setting high goalkeeping standards
Nnadozie finally conceded a goal at this tournament. Ohale’s misguided decision to pull back Magaia inside the box proved costly, as Motlhalo sent Nnadozie the wrong way.
But it takes nothing from her performances whenever she has been called upon at this competition, which has not been very often.
She must be a contender for the best goalkeeper award, after keeping four clean sheets out of five leading into the final. Only Ann Chiejine, who did not conceded a goal in five games for the 1998 team, has been better in WAFCON history. Chiejine, incidentally, is an assistant coach of this Nigeria team.
Madugu racking up records
We have already mentioned the chief record that Madugu is aiming at, taking Nigeria to reclaim the trophy in the tournament after losing it for the third time. Let’s talk about the things he has already accomplished.
Tuesday’s win saw Nigeria snap South Africa’s record of not losing a WAFCON game in regulation time since 2018.
“We know South Africa have not lost a game in regulation time since 2018,” Madugu said at the pre-match press conference. “But records are meant to be broken. No matter how long it takes. We hope that by tomorrow that record will no longer exist.”
He walked the walk after talking the talk, and in doing so is the first Nigerian coach of the Super Falcons to take the team to the championship game since Florence Omagbemi in 2016. Swede Thomas Dennerby was in charge for the 2018 win.
Payback run almost complete
Nigeria were beaten three times at the 2022 tournament, by South Africa, Morocco and Zambia.
Banyana Banyana edged a tight encounter in their opening group game, 2-1.
Morocco handed the Super Falcons heartbreak in the semifinals, winning a penalty shootout and progressing to the final when Ifeoma Onumonu missed.
Zambia won the third-place playoff 1-0, handing the Super Falcons their second-worst finish at the tournament.
Madugu has insisted his team has no thoughts of revenge in mind, but the Super Falcons have gone on a payback run.
Zambia were beaten 5-0 in the quarterfinals, and South Africa were overcome in the semifinals; Nigeria hope to complete the trifecta when they face Morocco in the final on Saturday.