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South Africa on course for title defence at WAFCON
Defending champions South Africa kept up their progress at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals but had to go through the heart-stopping uncertainty of post-match penalties to secure a semi-final meeting with long-time nemesis Nigeria.
South Africa won 4-1 on kicks after a 0-0 draw with Senegal in Oudja in the last of the quarter-final matches, winning a shootout for the first time in the tournament after two previous failures.
It was the second successive quarter-final on Saturday to prove goalless and subsequently forced to a penalty shootout after Ghana edged Algeria 4-2 on kicks in Berkane earlier.
Bambanani Mbane thrashed home the winning kick after goalkeeper Andile Dlamini had made two saves. Karabo Dhlamini, Tiisetso Makhubela and Gabby Salgado scored the others from the spot as Banyana put away all their kicks.
South Africa did have much of the better chances in the match, especially in extra time, but were unable to score for the first time in the tournament in Morocco.
Lebohang Ramalepe was particularly wasteful while Hildah Magaia skyed one from close range in the dying stages of the game.
South Africa were also awarded a penalty in the 110th minute, but after a VAR check for both offside and the validity of the tackle by Wolimatsa Ndiaye on Magaia, saw the decision overturned after a stressful wait for both teams.
Senegal did offer a few scares, no more so than in stoppage time at the end of the 90th minute when Mama Diop’s header came close to a dramatic winner.
But the game was characterised by the lack of finishing prowess, especially from Desiree Ellis’ team, which is something they will have to rectify before they meet the Super Falcons in Tuesday’s first semi-final in Casablanca. Morocco will take on Ghana the same day in Rabat in the second semi.
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