Nigeria strike late to reach WAFCON final and end South Africa's reign
Michelle Alozie nets winner in semi-final marred by an injury to holders' midfielder Gabi Salgado
A 94th-minute winner from Michelle Alozie sent nine-time WAFCON champions Nigeria into the final and ended South Africa’s defence of their title as an intense semi-final in Casablanca ended 2-1.
The match was scarred by a horrific injury to South African midfielder Gabi Salgado, who went down in her own box in the 89th minute and was stretchered off the field. While the South African players wiped tears from their eyes, the Nigerian fans chanted Salgado’s name in a gesture of respect between these two fierce rivals.
At the time of the injury, the sides were locked at 1-1 with little to choose between them. They had nine shots on goal each (as recorded by the official statistics) and traded successful penalties, and the match appeared set for extra time even as fatigue in the heat of an afternoon kick-off seemed to suck the energy out of what had largely been a competitive game.
Nigeria dominated the first quarter of an hour and could have gone ahead through an Ashleigh Plumptre header in the 10th minute, but Andile Dlamini tipped the ball over the bar and then sought to calm down her defenders with a chat. South Africa slowly worked their way into the contest and gained confidence even when they had to replace injured defender Tiisetso Makhubela in the 21st minute. South Africa showed their intent by using that as an opportunity to introduce Hildah Magaia, their star forward.
Magaia had her side’s best chance of the first half, in the 41st minute, when she received a ball from Bambanani Mbane and shot wide. Before South Africa had time to digest Magaia’s miss, Nigeria were pushing forward and a clear handball from Mbane in the box resulted in a penalty. Rasheedat Ajibade’s powerful shot beat Dlamini’s palm and thundered into the bottom right corner to put Nigeria ahead.
Chasing the game, South Africa came out after the break with more intent as Nigeria seemed content to sit on their lead, but it was only when Magaia was tugged on the arm and brought down in the box that they had the chance to equalise. Linda Motlhalo converted the penalty in the 60th minute.
South Africa had the better of the chances as both sides pushed for a winner. They came close in the 73rd minute when Noxolo Cesane missed an opportunity, but it was the injury to Salgado that dented the reigning champions beyond repair.
The winning goal came after a long delay for treatment to Salgado, who was eventually carried away. Alozie sent over a ball that eluded everybody and found the back of the net, and Nigeria celebrated with as much gusto as they thought was acceptable in the circumstances.
South Africa stood, hands on knees, dreams dashed. They lost but, as Salgado had said in the press conference the day before, “not without a fight.”
What defined Nigeria’s match?
Keeping pressure on. Even when it seemed as though Nigeria were not pushing for goals as hard as South Africa, they continued to take the ball off their opponents, play it long and win the aerial duels. Nigeria won 63% of balls in the air, an area which was always expected to be a strength. Esther Okoronkwo was particularly impressive, as she has been through the tournament, and provided the assist that resulted in the winning goal.
What defined South Africa’s match?
Not taking their chances. This was always going to be the measure of South Africa’s success - or otherwise - after they had failed to capitalise properly in all their matches thus far. This time it cost them. South Africa had five shots in the first half with only one, Jermaine Seoposenwe’s header in the third minute, on target. They had more chances in the second half, the most agonising being the shot from substitute Cesane that caught Chiamaka Nnadozie out of her goal and stopped just short of the line before it was cleared away. Seoposenwe had another opportunity in the 78th minute but her shot went over the bar.
Something you may have missed
South Africa had not lost a WAFCON game in open play since 2016 and had gone 15 matches undefeated in the competition. They also had not lost a WAFCON knockout match since the semi-final against Nigeria in 2016, though they did lose the final on penalties in 2018. They have participated in the last two WAFCON finals (2018 and 2022). While those statistics are impressive, so is Nigeria’s defensive record at this event. They had not conceded a goal at this WAFCON before the semi-final.
What next?
Nigeria will move to Rabat to play in Saturday’s final while South Africa will stay in Casablanca for the third-place play-off on Friday.
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