Both teams booked their spots in the semi-finals with victories over Zambia and Senegal respectively, setting the stage for a high-stakes clash at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.
Defending champions Banyana Banyana famously knocked out the Super Falcons at this stage in the previous edition on their way to lifting their first-ever continental title.
Ahead of this highly anticipated encounter, Flashscore revisit the storied history between these two powerhouses in WAFCON competition.
SOUTH AFRICA 0-2 NIGERIA (Boksburg) Nov 25, 2000
Nigeria and South Africa first met in the African Women’s Championship on November 25, 2000, in Boksburg; an encounter that doubled as the tournament final.
The Super Falcons, then three-time champions, had cruised past Zimbabwe 6-0 in the semi-finals, while hosts Banyana edged Ghana 1-0 to set up a much-anticipated showdown.
Touted as a dream final, the clash saw the hosts looking to unseat the West Africans, who held a world ranking of fifth after their impressive run at the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The highly anticipated final ended in controversy after crowd unrest forced the match to be abandoned with 28 minutes remaining.
Tensions boiled over when South African fans hurled stones and bottles onto the pitch following Nigeria’s second goal by Stella Mbachu. Despite the disruption, the result stood, and Nigeria were awarded the trophy.
NIGERIA 5-0 SOUTH AFRICA (Oghara) Dec 18, 2002
The second meeting between the two sides ended in a resounding 5-0 victory for Nigeria over a largely inexperienced South African team led by Veronica Phewa.
In the fifth edition of the tournament, hosts Falcons finished second behind Ghana in Group A, while Banyana Banyana topped Group B; which featured Cameroon, Angola, and Zimbabwe.
This set the stage for a highly anticipated semi-final showdown at the Warr Township Stadium.
Sam Okpodu’s Nigeria went on to claim their fifth continental title, while South Africa settled for fourth place after falling 3-0 to Cameroon in the third-place playoff.
NIGERIA 2-0 SOUTH AFRICA (Oleh) Nov 3, 2006
The Super Falcons once again asserted their dominance over South Africa in their third meeting, played at the Oleh Township Stadium in Delta State.
A first-half brace from Cynthia Uwak sealed victory for Nigeria in their Group A clash. The opener came in the fourth minute when Stella Mbachu, a constant menace to the South African backline, broke into the box and squared the ball for Uwak to tap in.
Just before halftime, Uwak struck again; taking advantage of on a clever pass from Perpetua Nkwocha to beat goalkeeper Molale Bridgette.
Nigeria went on to win the tournament, edging Ghana 1-0 in the final thanks to a 13th-minute goal from Nkwocha.
NIGERIA 1-0 SOUTH AFRICA (Bata) Nov 28, 2008
The fourth meeting between these countries took place on neutral ground at the Estadio La Libertad in Bata, Equatorial Guinea.
Ifeanyi Chiejine’s 16th-minute strike proved to be the match-winner, securing a hard-fought group stage victory for the Super Falcons over a resilient Banyana Banyana side.
Despite the win, Nigeria fell short of claiming the title for the first time in the competition’s history, settling for a bronze medal.
NIGERIA 2-1 SOUTH AFRICA (Daveton) Nov 4, 2010
Playing on home turf wasn’t enough for South Africa as they fell 2-1 to a clinical Nigerian side in their second Group A clash at Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton.
Banyana Banyana began brightly, with skipper Noko Matlou testing Nigerian goalkeeper Precious Dede early on, forcing a sharp save to keep the scores level. But the Super Falcons quickly found their rhythm.
In the 33rd minute, Perpetua Nkwocha raced behind the South African defence and coolly slotted home the opener on the break. She completed her brace six minutes later, rising to head in a well-delivered corner from Jerome Ulunma to double the advantage.
Although Nompumelelo Nyandeni pulled one back for the hosts, the comeback never materialised.
Nigeria went on to lift their seventh Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title, beating holders Equatorial Guinea 4-2 in the final.
NIGERIA 0-1 SOUTH AFRICA (Bata) Nov 7, 2012
After five unsuccessful attempts, Banyana Banyana finally secured their first-ever win over the Super Falcons at the Nkoantoma Stadium in Equatorial Guinea.
Janine van Wyk scored the decisive goal in the 23rd minute, firing home a stunning left-footed strike from 25 metres after Nigeria failed to clear a corner. The ball dipped under the crossbar, beating captain and goalkeeper Precious Dede.
The historic win sent South Africa to the final against hosts Equatorial Guinea, who had earlier defeated Cameroon 2-0. It was Banyana’s first victory over Nigeria since their international debut in 1993.
Meanwhile, the Super Falcons endured a disappointing end to the tournament, finishing without a medal after losing 1-0 to Cameroon in the third-place match.
NIGERIA 2-1 SOUTH AFRICA (Windhoek) Oct 22, 2014
Asisat Oshoala stole the spotlight with a first-half brace that secured a hard-fought 2–1 win over rivals Banyana Banyana in a thrilling WAFCON semi-final at Windhoek’s Sam Nujoma Stadium.
After a balanced start, the Super Falcons broke the deadlock in the 38th minute when Oshoala expertly controlled a clever through-ball and calmly finished past the goalkeeper.
She doubled Nigeria’s lead just before halftime, capitalising on a defensive lapse from Banyana to strike again right on the stroke of the break.
South Africa’s Jane Refiloe pulled one back in the 67th minute, but it wasn’t enough to stop Nigeria from advancing to the final.
NIGERIA 1-0 SOUTH AFRICA (Limbe) Nov 29, 2016
Super Falcons set up a final clash with Cameroon after narrowly defeating Banyana Banyana in their semi-final in Limbe.
Striker Desire Oparanozie scored the only goal in the 54th minute, securing a rematch of the 2014 final in Windhoek, Namibia.
Despite South Africa dominating much of the game and controlling the midfield, they failed to convert their chances. Ultimately, Nigeria capitalised on a well-taken free-kick early in the second half to seal victory.
NIGERIA 0-0 (4-3 on pen) SOUTH AFRICA (Accra) Dec 1, 2018
The Super Falcons extended their dominance over South Africa by winning the 2018 WAFCON final with a 4-3 penalty shootout victory after a 0-0 draw in Accra.
Goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi made the crucial save in the shootout, redeeming Asisat Oshoala after she missed a penalty during regular time.
During the shootout, Lebogang Ester Ramalepe and Linda Maserame Motlhalo both missed their kicks as Nigeria claimed their ninth title in eleven editions, cementing their status as Africa’s leading women’s football team ahead of the 2019 World Cup in France.
NIGERIA 1-2 SOUTH AFRICA (Rabat) July 4, 2022
South Africa claimed a historic 2-1 win over Nigeria at Rabat’s Stade Moulay Hassan en route to their first Africa Women’s Cup of Nations title.
The victory marked just their second ever against the Super Falcons in WAFCON history and positioned them as early Group C favourites.
Banyana Banyana dominated possession and struck twice in quick succession through Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hildah Magaia.
Rasheedat Ajibade scored late for Nigeria, but Linda Motlhalo’s midfield brilliance earned her Player of the Match.
