Her Football Hub
·21. Juli 2025
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·21. Juli 2025
While the world watches to see if England can retain their European title at Euro 2025 in Switzerland, South Africa are also out to defend a crown of their own.
In this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), all eyes are on the defending champions. South Africa won the previous tournament in 2022, marking the first time they had ever lifted the trophy. Now, they are looking to make it back-to-back triumphs in Morocco.
Banyana Banyana have started their title defence strongly. South Africa beat Ghana and Mali and drew with Tanzania to finish top of Group C with seven points, three more than second-placed Ghana.
However, their dominance was tested in the quarter-finals. South Africa managed to secure victory over Senegal, but it took a tense penalty shootout to decide who was going through to the final four. After a goalless match, Banyana Banyana won 4-1 on spot-kicks to punch their ticket to the semis.
South Africa’s biggest challenge so far in the tournament awaits them in Tuesday’s semi-final. They will face WAFCON’s most successful side in Nigeria, who will be eager to reclaim the title.
Beating Zambia 5-0 in their own quarter-final, Nigeria’s performance so far at WAFCON 2024 has been strong. Ranked 36th in the most recent FIFA World Rankings compared to South Africa’s 54th place, it is clear Nigeria will provide some strong competition in this week’s semi-finals.
Nigeria have not played South Africa recently but have, however, secured strong results in international friendlies in the buildup. They beat Cameroon and Ghana and drew with Portugal in the lead-up to the tournament.
The semi-final matchup between South Africa and Nigeria is scheduled for 17:00 BST on the 22nd July.