Both teams secured their places in the semi-finals with wins over Zambia and Senegal, respectively, setting the stage for a crucial match at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.
Defending champions Banyana Banyana famously eliminated the Super Falcons at this stage in the last edition on their way to claiming their first-ever continental title.
As this highly awaited match, Flashscore revisits the rich history between these two giants in WAFCON competition.
SOUTH AFRICA 0-2 NIGERIA (Boksburg) Nov 25, 2000
Nigeria and South Africa first faced each other in the African Women’s Championship on November 25, 2000, in Boksburg, in a match that also served as the tournament final.
The Super Falcons, then three-time champions, had easily defeated Zimbabwe 6-0 in the semi-finals, while the hosts Banyana narrowly overcame Ghana 1-0 to set up a highly anticipated clash.
Regarded as a dream final, the match saw the hosts aiming to dethrone the West Africans, who held a world ranking of fifth following their impressive performance at the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The eagerly awaited final ended in controversy when crowd unrest led to the match being abandoned with 28 minutes left.
Tensions escalated when South African fans threw stones and bottles onto the field after Nigeria scored their second goal by Stella Mbachu. Despite the chaos, the result was upheld, and Nigeria was awarded the trophy.
NIGERIA 5-0 SOUTH AFRICA (Oghara) Dec 18, 2002
The second encounter between the two teams resulted in a decisive 5-0 win for Nigeria against a largely inexperienced South African squad led by Veronica Phewa.
In the fifth edition of the tournament, the host Falcons finished second behind Ghana in Group A, while Banyana Banyana topped Group B, which included Cameroon, Angola, and Zimbabwe.
This set the stage for an eagerly anticipated semi-final match at the Warr Township Stadium.
Sam Okpodu’s Nigeria went on to secure their fifth continental title, while South Africa finished in fourth place after losing 3-0 to Cameroon in the third-place playoff.
NIGERIA 2-0 SOUTH AFRICA (Oleh) Nov 3, 2006
The Super Falcons once again demonstrated their superiority over South Africa in their third encounter, held at the Oleh Township Stadium in Delta State.
A first-half double from Cynthia Uwak secured victory for Nigeria in their Group A match. The first goal came in the fourth minute when Stella Mbachu, a constant threat to the South African defense, penetrated the box and set up Uwak for an easy finish.
Just before halftime, Uwak scored again, capitalizing on a clever pass from Perpetua Nkwocha to outsmart 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 nations occurred on neutral ground at the Estadio La Libertad in Bata, Equatorial Guinea.
Ifeanyi Chiejine’s 16th-minute goal proved to be the decisive factor, ensuring a hard-fought group stage win for the Super Falcons against a resilient Banyana Banyana team.
Despite the victory, 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 soil wasn’t enough for South Africa, as they succumbed 2-1 to a sharp Nigerian squad in their second Group A match at Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton.
Banyana Banyana started brightly, with captain Noko Matlou testing Nigerian goalkeeper Precious Dede early, forcing a crucial save to keep the scores level. However, the Super Falcons quickly found their stride.
In the 33rd minute, Perpetua Nkwocha sprinted past the South African defense and calmly slotted home the opener on the counter. She completed her brace six minutes later, rising to head in a well-placed corner from Jerome Ulunma to double the lead.
Though Nompumelelo Nyandeni pulled one back for the hosts, the comeback never materialized.
Nigeria went on to claim their seventh Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title, defeating the defending champions Equatorial Guinea 4-2 in the final.
NIGERIA 0-1 SOUTH AFRICA (Bata) Nov 7, 2012
After five unsuccessful attempts, Banyana Banyana finally achieved their first-ever victory over the Super Falcons at the Nkoantoma Stadium in Equatorial Guinea.
Janine van Wyk netted the winning goal in the 23rd minute, unleashing a stunning left-footed shot from 25 meters after Nigeria failed to clear a corner. The ball dipped under the crossbar, beating captain and goalkeeper Precious Dede.
This historic win propelled South Africa to the final against hosts Equatorial Guinea, who had earlier defeated Cameroon 2-0. It marked Banyana’s first victory over Nigeria since their international debut in 1993.
Meanwhile, the Super Falcons faced a disappointing conclusion to the tournament, finishing without a medal after falling 1-0 to Cameroon in the third-place match.
NIGERIA 2-1 SOUTH AFRICA (Windhoek) Oct 22, 2014
Asisat Oshoala shone brightly with a first-half brace that secured a hard-fought 2–1 victory over rivals Banyana Banyana in an electrifying 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 skillfully controlled a clever through-ball and calmly finished past the goalkeeper.
She doubled Nigeria’s lead just before halftime, capitalizing on a defensive error from Banyana to strike again right at the break.
South Africa’s Jane Refiloe pulled one back in the 67th minute, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Nigeria from progressing to the final.
NIGERIA 1-0 SOUTH AFRICA (Limbe) Nov 29, 2016
The Super Falcons set up a final matchup with Cameroon after narrowly defeating Banyana Banyana in their semi-final in Limbe.
Striker Desire Oparanozie scored the lone goal in the 54th minute, ensuring a rematch of the 2014 final in Windhoek, Namibia.
Despite South Africa controlling much of the game and dominating the midfield, they were unable to convert their opportunities. Ultimately, Nigeria capitalized on a well-executed free-kick early in the second half to secure victory.
NIGERIA 0-0 (4-3 on penalties) SOUTH AFRICA (Accra) Dec 1, 2018
The Super Falcons extended their dominance over South Africa by clinching the 2018 WAFCON title with a 4-3 penalty shootout win after a 0-0 draw in Accra.
Goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi made the pivotal save in the shootout, redeeming Asisat Oshoala after she missed a penalty during regular play.
During the shootout, Lebogang Ester Ramalepe and Linda Maserame Motlhalo both missed their attempts as Nigeria secured their ninth title in eleven editions, reinforcing 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 achieved a historic 2-1 victory over Nigeria at Rabat’s Stade Moulay Hassan, paving the way for their first Africa Women’s Cup of Nations title.
This win marked only their second victory against the Super Falcons in WAFCON history and established them as early favorites in Group C.
Banyana Banyana controlled possession and struck twice in quick succession through Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hildah Magaia.
Rasheedat Ajibade scored late for Nigeria, but Linda Motlhalo’s midfield excellence earned her the Player of the Match award.
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