WAFCON: Nigeria confident ahead of semi-final showdown with South Africa

Nigeria’s quest for a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title reaches a critical point as the Super Falcons take on defending champions South Africa in the second semi-final of the 13th edition of the tournament. The high-stakes encounter is scheduled to hold at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Tuesday.

The nine-time champions head into the clash with a formidable pedigree, having never failed to reach the semi-final stage since the competition’s inception 27 years ago. Their dominant 5-0 victory over Zambia in the quarter-finals last Friday further cemented their status as the most successful team in African women’s football.

Historically, the Super Falcons have enjoyed the upper hand over South Africa’s Banyana Banyana. It took the South Africans 17 years after their first meeting in 1995 to record a win over Nigeria—a slim 1-0 result at the 2012 WAFCON in Equatorial Guinea. Prior to that, they had endured a string of heavy defeats, including 7-1 and 5-0 losses.

Although the Banyana earned another win in the 2018 group stage in Ghana, they fell short in the final as Nigeria triumphed via a penalty shootout to claim a ninth continental crown. In 2022, South Africa edged Nigeria 2-1 in the group stage and went on to win their first-ever WAFCON title after defeating hosts Morocco in the final.

Out of their 10 WAFCON meetings, Nigeria have emerged victorious on six occasions, while South Africa have claimed three wins. One match—the 2018 final—ended in a draw before the Super Falcons secured victory on penalties. Overall, both teams have faced off 25 times, with Nigeria winning 15, South Africa four, and six matches ending in draws.

South Africa’s most notable win came at the 2021 Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament in Lagos, where they defeated an understrength Nigerian side 4-2. However, the Super Falcons had their revenge in 2024, overcoming the Banyana to secure qualification for their first Olympic appearance in 16 years.

At the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, both teams reached the Round of 16, but it was Nigeria that drew global admiration with a shock win over co-hosts Australia and an unbeaten run in regulation time throughout the tournament.

With history, experience, and momentum on their side, the Super Falcons will be aiming to extend their dominance and secure a place in the WAFCON final once again, as they prepare for what promises to be another fierce encounter with their continental rivals.