KEHINDE FAJOBI
Nigeria’s Super Falcons Monday night began their 2022 Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign with a 2-1 loss to Banyana Banyana of South Africa.
The highly anticipated Group C opening clash was expected to be a tough match for both sides.
True to this, the tightly contested first half ended goalless until Jermaine Seoposenwe broke the deadlock in the 61st minute to give South Africa their first goal.
Two minutes later, Hildah Magaia netted South Africa’s second goal in 63rd minute to give them a somewhat comfortable lead.
Striker Rashidat Ajibade gave Nigeria their first and only goal of the match in the 92nd minute, with the match ending 2-1 in South Africa’s favour.
The win is South Africa’s second consecutive win over the Super Falcons with the last game between both sides ending 4-2 in South Africa’s favour at the final of the 2021 Aisha Buhari Cup, an invitational tournament by Nigeria’s First Lady, Aisha Buhari.
The Super Falcons will hope to brush off the defeat and redeem themselves when they face Botswana in their second game on Thursday, July 7.