WAFCON: South Africa advance to semi-finals with shootout win over Senegal
Dlamini stars as Banyana Banyana set up semi-final with Nigeria
Ayanda Dlamini proved why she is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Africa with two crucial saves in a penalty shootout win over Senegal that put South Africa into the WAFCON semi-final.
South Africa have appeared at every semi-final since 2004 and will play Nigeria in a blockbuster affair and a replay of the 2018 final on Tuesday.
South Africa were taken to penalties for the first time since that WAFCON final, which they lost to Nigeria, but had none of the nerves. Even without Linda Motlhalo, who was taken off with an injury in extra time, all four of their takers Karabo Dhlamini, Tiisetso Makhubela, Gabi Salgado and Bambanani Mbane netted. The hero was Dlamini in goal. She denied the joint-leading goal-scorer from the group stage, Nguenar Ndiaye by diving to her left and then went the other way to save a shot from Meta Kande. That meant only Mama Diop scored as South Africa won the shootout 4-1.
Dlamini has kept three clean sheets from the matches she has played at this tournament - two in the group stage and this quarterfinal.
The goalless 120 minutes were frenetic with plenty of chances across both sides. There were 19 shots on goal in regulation time, and there were plenty of chances across both sides - 11 shots for South Africa with four on target and eight for Senegal with three on target and six in extra time.
While Senegal had a more aggressive first half, South Africa’s attempts dominated the second period and the next half an hour. The best chance came in the 81st minute when Jermaine Seoposenwe crossed to Lebohang Ramalepe who headed the ball to the right of goal. Ramalepe was also offside when she thought she had scored in the 98th minute.
South Africa were denied a penalty in the 113th minute when Hildah Magaia was fouled in the box and the referee awarded the spot kick but rescinded after checking VAR. Senegal celebrated as though they’d won the match as memories of their own early aggression faded. They can leave with their heads high after coming out of a group with Morocco and Zambia to make the knockouts.
What defined South Africa’s match?
Pressing forward.
Even though they struggled to find a way through, South Africa strung together several attractive sequences from midfield, with Motlhalo playing a key role in threading balls through. Magaia had impressive runs down the left wing and Seoposenwe was industrious in her runs but neither of them could find the final touch.
What defined Senegal’s match?
Winning the aerial duals.
The obvious height advantage Senegal had over South Africa meant that most of the time the ball was in the air, they won it. At half-time in regulation time, Senegal had won two-thirds of the aerial duals. That percentage had increased to 71.4% by the end of the 90 minutes, and to 73% after extra time (CAF). It also meant that every time there was the temptation for South Africa to play the ball long, they were almost guaranteed to lose it and could not play with any fluency.
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It was impossible to miss Senegal’s imposing back four, Marieme Babou, Anta Dembele, Aissatou Fall and Wolimate Ndiaye, who wrestled the ball away from Seoposenwe and Magaia every chance they got. South Africa’s left-back Karabo Dhlamini did some excellent work of her own, winning nine out of 13 duels, making four clearances and four interceptions, and winning four of her five tackles during regulation time (CAF).
What next?
South Africa will have a quick turnaround before their semi-final against Nigeria in Casablanca on Tuesday 22 July. With only two flights out of Oujda to Casablanca - at 7am and 7pm - getting to the west Coast will happen either very early or quite late tomorrow (more than likely the latter) and they will only have one training session before playing.
After missing out on three editions between 2014 and 2022, Senegal finished where they did three years ago and bowed out at the quarter-finals. They will turn their attention to 2026 WAFCON qualifying where they will play Ivory Coast in matches at home and away in October.
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