BREAKING: South Africa wins 2022 African Women’s Cup

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South Africa win their first Women’s Cup of Nations title

South Africa won the first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations championship on Saturday in Rabat after defeating the host country Morocco 2-1 thanks to two goals from Hildah Magaia in the final eight minutes of the second half after the hour mark.

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Banyana Banyana’s streak of five finals without a victory came to an end. She finished the Moroccan tournament with a perfect record and qualified for the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand the following year.

Jermaine Seoposenwe, who sprinted onto a long ball out of defence to create the opening goal as she held off the defence to make an outstanding pass in the 63rd minute, provided a great cutback that Magaia tapped in.

It softened the blow of a wild environment produced by a sold-out crowd at the Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium, where South Africa’s men had just lost to Morocco in a Cup of Nations qualifying match a few weeks prior.

Then, in the 71st minute, Magaia extended the advantage with another close-range goal, this time from a wide cross from Karabo Dhlamini that the Moroccan defence was unable to stop.

However, a mistake in focus cost South Africa the ball, giving Morocco a chance to rally. Rosella Ayane scored in the 80th minute after Fatima Tagnaout set her up.

For Desiree Ellis’ squad, it meant a stressful last 10 minutes, plus an additional nine minutes for the referee, before they could finally lift the championship.

The big crowd kept the tempo of the game high, cheering every Moroccan touch and every Banyana move with a cacophony of whistles.

After 11 minutes, there was a faint call for a penalty, but Tagnaout’s challenge on Magaia within her own penalty area proved to be well placed even though it was hazardous.

The first 30 minutes passed without a scoring opportunity due to strong pressure from both sides that left little room for opportunities.

Nomvula Kgoale’s long-range free-kick gave South Africa a chance in the 32nd minute, and three minutes later Seoposenwe set up Magaia with an inch-perfect ball, but the latter’s left-footed shot was bravely stopped by the home goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi.

Five minutes before halftime, Magaia was given another opportunity with a free kick, but he was unable to correctly bend the ball and missed the target.

Ayane, a tall English-born attacker who attempted to drag the ball from behind her but failed to find the goal, gave Morocco their first genuine attempt a minute later.

When Magaia scored to start the second half, it suddenly became an open affair with a raucous conclusion.

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