Banyana Banyana defeated Morocco 2-1 in the final of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations that was held in front of a full house at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Hildah Magaia opened the scoring in the 63rd minute after a superb assist from Jermaine Seopesenwe. Before everyone had the chance to catch their breath, she doubled the lead in the 71st minute after a sensational pass from Karabo Dlamini.
Just as it seemed that the South Africans would sail home with ease, Rosella Ayana complicated matters by pulling one back after a sloppy turnover by Banyana. The next 20 minutes – including nine minutes of referee’s optional time – proved nervy, but the visitors showed resolve to finally win a final for the first time in six attempts.
South Africa became the third team to win the tournament since its inception in 1991, with Nigeria having won it 11 times and Equatorial Guinea on two occasions. This was South Africa’s second major international title since Bafana Bafana won the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations.
