South Africa’s women’s team have admitted that their 2-1 defeat to Nigeria in the semi-final of the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations was “not the result we expected”.
Banyana Banyana, the defending champions, saw their title hopes slip away after conceding a late goal from Michelle Alozie on Tuesday night.
Rasheedat Ajibade had given the Super Falcons the lead from the penalty spot, before Linda Motlhalo responded in kind with a spot-kick of her own.
As the game edged towards extra time, Alozie’s looping cross drifted past everyone and nestled into the back of the net.
The result means South Africa will now contest the third-place play-off against either Ghana or Morocco.
A post on Banyana Banyana’s official X page read, “It ends with a loss against Nigeria… not the result we expected.”
