Nigeria’s Super Falcons are through to the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), courtesy of a 2-1 victory over South Africa’s Banyana Banyana at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca on Tuesday, July 22.

Record nine-time WAFCON winners Nigeria were coming off a morale-boosting 5-0 win over Zambia in the quarterfinals, making it unsurprising that head coach Justin Madugu stuck with an unchanged lineup against the defending champions. It was the first time he had done so in the tournament.

As such, Nigeria were the much better side in the opening minutes of the exchange, creating multiple chances that just needed a final clinical touch. The nine-time African champions had the ball cleared off the line twice in quick succession, before finally breaking the deadlock from the spot via captain Rasheedat Ajibade’s kick. It was the Atlético Madrid forward’s third goal against the Banyana Banyana.

The Super Falcons’ momentum was, however, deflated a few minutes into the second half when South Africa got a penalty of their own after Osinachi Ohale was adjudged to have fouled a player inside the box. Linda Mothlalo converted the resulting kick to bring South Africa level, in what was the first goal Nigeria would concede in the tournament.

South Africa grew in confidence after the goal and created more opportunities, rattling the Falcons’ defense. However, the nine-time African champions came through in the nick of time courtesy of Michelle Alozie’s long cross to wrap up a 2-1 win on the night.

The win takes Nigeria to 16 wins in 23 matches and breaks South Africa’s recent dominance over them, having lost their last two WAFCON meetings against the defending champions. Nigeria’s spot in the WAFCON 2024 final is now secured, where they’ll await the winner between Morocco and Ghana’s semifinal clash later tonight.