South Africa Women beat Nigeria Women 2-1 to win Africa Cup of Nations final

South Africa Women defeated Nigeria Women 2-1 in the Africa Cup of Nations Women final, with Thembi Kgatlana and Refiloe Jane scoring to secure victory before Christy Onyenaturuchi Ucheibe’s late goal set up a tense finish.

South Africa W

• Bongeka SMangele Gamede
• A. Motau
• R. Jane
• Linda Maserame Motlhalo
• T. Kgatlana
• Hildah Tholakele Magaia

Nigeria W

• Chiamaka Cynthia Nnadozie
• Shukurat Damilola Oladipo
• O. Ohale
• Michelle Chinwendu Alozie
• Rasheedat Busayo Ajibade
• Deborah AjibolaAbiodun
• Jennifer Onyi Echegini
• F. Ordega
• Asisat Lamina Oshoala
• Uchenna Grace Kanu

Substitutions:

South Africa W

• T. Kgatlana
• A. Motau
• Hildah Tholakele Magaia

Nigeria W

• Asisat Lamina Oshoala (Joy Omewa Ogochukwu, 55)
• F. Ordega (Christy Onyenaturuchi Ucheibe, 63)
• Deborah Ajibola (Gift Nyakno Monday, 82)
• Abiodun
• Uchenna Grace Kanu

Ball possession:

Kgatlana broke the deadlock in the 56th minute, giving South Africa a 1-0 lead. Jane doubled the advantage in the 77th minute, leaving Nigeria with a difficult task in the closing stages.

Passes:

Ucheibe pulled a goal back for Nigeria in the 90th minute, but South Africa held on to claim a 2-1 win and lift the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations trophy.

Defense:

The result crowns South Africa as champions of Africa after a final in which they made their decisive moments count. Nigeria’s late response created pressure, but the reigning finalists could not find an equaliser before the final whistle.

Face-to-face:

Kgatlana makes the breakthrough

The final remained goalless until the 56th minute, when Kgatlana put South Africa ahead.

Fouls: