Nigeria Wins WAFCON Semifinal With Late Goal Against South Africa

Nigeria's Super Falcons secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over defending champions South Africa in the semifinal of the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with a last-minute winner from Michelle Alozie. Rasheedat Ajibade gave Nigeria the lead in the 45th minute by converting a penalty after a handball by South Africa's Bambanani Mbane, but South Africa equalized through Linda Motlhalo's penalty in the 60th minute. The match was intensely contested, marked by Nigeria's early dominance, South Africa's resilience, and a serious injury to South Africa's Gabriela Salgado. Alozie's late goal came in stoppage time from a cross that South Africa's goalkeeper Andile Dlamini failed to clear, securing Nigeria's place in the final against either Morocco or Ghana. This victory puts Nigeria on the brink of claiming a record-extending 10th WAFCON title, reinforcing their historical dominance in the competition. The match was played in Casablanca, and the Nigerian team held firm through nine minutes of added time to seal the win.