Latest news with #LindaMotlhalo
CNA
11 hours ago
- Sport
- CNA
Hosts Morocco to take on Nigeria in African women's final
RABAT :Morocco and Nigeria will meet on Saturday to decide the Women's Africa Cup of Nations after both came through gritty semi-final encounters on Tuesday. Hosts Morocco edged Ghana on penalties at Rabat's Stade Olympique while earlier Nigeria ended the reign of defending champions South Africa with a last-gasp 2-1 victory in their clash in Casablanca. Michelle Alozie's floating free kick was missed by both the onrushing Nigerian attacker and the South African goalkeeper and floated into the net for the winner four minutes into stoppage time. Rasheedat Ajibade had given nine-time winners Nigeria the lead from the penalty-spot on the stroke of halftime, before South Africa struck back with a spotkick of their own in the 60th minute, converted by Linda Motlhalo. Just as it seemed extra time would be needed, Alozie floated a cross deep into the box that beat South Africa goalkeeper Andile Dlamini who was under pressure from two Nigerian forwards. Ghana had not been given much chance against Morocco, who were supported by a capacity crowd, but took a 26th-minute lead through Stella Nyameke. Morocco came back to equalise after halftime through Sakina Ouzraoui and then won 4-2 on penalties after extra and South Africa will decide third place in Casablanca on Friday with the final in Rabat on Saturday. The tournament was originally set for last year but postponed because it clashed with the women's soccer tournament at the Paris Olympics. The next Women's Cup of Nations is scheduled to be played in Morocco again next year.
Reuters
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Hosts Morocco to take on Nigeria in African women's final
RABAT, July 22 (Reuters) - Morocco and Nigeria will meet on Saturday to decide the Women's Africa Cup of Nations after both came through gritty semi-final encounters on Tuesday. Hosts Morocco edged Ghana on penalties at Rabat's Stade Olympique while earlier Nigeria ended the reign of defending champions South Africa with a last-gasp 2-1 victory in their clash in Casablanca. Michelle Alozie's floating free kick was missed by both the onrushing Nigerian attacker and the South African goalkeeper and floated into the net for the winner four minutes into stoppage time. Rasheedat Ajibade had given nine-time winners Nigeria the lead from the penalty-spot on the stroke of halftime, before South Africa struck back with a spotkick of their own in the 60th minute, converted by Linda Motlhalo. Just as it seemed extra time would be needed, Alozie floated a cross deep into the box that beat South Africa goalkeeper Andile Dlamini who was under pressure from two Nigerian forwards. Ghana had not been given much chance against Morocco, who were supported by a capacity crowd, but took a 26th-minute lead through Stella Nyameke. Morocco came back to equalise after halftime through Sakina Ouzraoui and then won 4-2 on penalties after extra time. Ghana and South Africa will decide third place in Casablanca on Friday with the final in Rabat on Saturday. The tournament was originally set for last year but postponed because it clashed with the women's soccer tournament at the Paris Olympics. The next Women's Cup of Nations is scheduled to be played in Morocco again next year.
IOL News
15 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Heartbreak for Banyana Banyana as Nigeria claims victory in Wafcon semi-final
BANYANA Banyana midfielder Linda Motlhalo challenged by Rasheedat Ajibade of Nigeria during the semi-final of the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Casablanca. Motlhalo scored a second half as South Africa lost 2-1 as the game finished with traumatic scenes due Gabriela Slagado injury. | BackpagePix Incredulously none of them did and goalkeeper Dlamini had somewhat expected them to redirect the ball to her right and went that way. But the ball bounced and trickled into the net untouched. Extra time loomed large when an innocuous-looking punt from the middle of the pitch by Michelle Alozie found its way into the box. The Banyana defenders went to sleep, leaving two Nigerian strikers in the position to connect with the ball. South Africa's senior national team were knocked out of the Total Energies Women's Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday night in Casablanca, Desiree Ellis' team losing 2-1 to bitter rivals Nigeria who are now set to become continental champions a record extending 10th time. THE TITLE defence dream has gone up in smoke. Banyana Banyaya's reign as African champions is over. Congratulations to Banyana Banyana!🇿🇦 You have made South Africa proud with your dedication, resilience and excellence on the field. 🫶🏾⚽ It was a heartbreaking way for Banyana to lose a match they'd appeared to have salvaged with an improved second half performance after they'd gone to the break a goal down after conceding a penalty. Bambanani Mbane had handled the ball in the box as she attempted to stop an attacker and Super Falcons skipper Rasheedat Ajibades duly converted although Dlamini had gone the right way and actually got her hand to the ball but not enough to keep it out. Banyana equalized from the spot kick also via star player Linda Motlhalo after Hilda Magaia was pulled back and down inside the danger box. The match was see-sawing from one end to the other, with Banyana actually enjoying the upper hand when Gaby Salgado suffered a horrific injury that sent the players near the incident holding their heads in shock, calling for immediate help and then crying. The winger who had missed the 2022 tournament due to injury broke her leg during a goalmouth scramble as the Super Falcons went in search for the winner. The injury knocked the wind out of Banyana's sails as they lost the momentum they'd enjoyed earlier on. Still, it appeared the match would head into the extended half an hour period with just a few minutes left to play. And it looked as though Banyana were playing for time, no doubt keen to recalibrate following Salgado's injury. But Nigeria had other ideas and they pumped the ball forward in hope. That long punt looked set to be cleared, but with no Banyana player jumping up to head it clear it fell right in front of Dlamini and went the other way into the net, with Karabo Dhlamini's attempts to kick it out probing in vain as she only connected with it long after it had crossed the line. And just like that, Banyana's hopes of winning the continental title a second time was gone. Though they had enjoyed the lion's share of possession in the first half, it was Nigeria who had looked dangerous as they made the more promising attacks and forced some good saves out of Dlamini early on. The player nicknamed Sticks thwarted the Super Falcons in the eighth and 11th minute, with Tiisetso Makhubela clearing the ball off the line. Banyana had a brilliant chance to take the lead on 40 minutes but Hilda Magaia scuffed the ball wide of the goal when faced with just the goalkeeper. Nigeria then took the lead three minutes thereafter. The second half was barely ten minutes old when Motlhlalo equalized and Banyana should have gone ahead on 72 minutes after a great Salgado cross fell for Noxolo Cesane. The substitute did well to stab the ball through the legs of the Nigerian goalkeeper but not strong enough for it to go over the line as a SuperFlancos defender managed to clear it before it went in. Jermaine Seoposenwe then had a free shot on goal from the edge of the box but she succeeded in disturbing the Casablanca bats' flying pattern instead of finding the target. Salgado's horrific injury brought an eerie hush into the arena before the crowd stood as one and applauded her –as she was being stretchered off the pitch. Normality returned when Nigeria scored the winner that ended the dreams of Banyana bringing the title back home from Morocco a second time. They will now have to strive to get the consolation third place bronze medals while Nigeria will look to win their 10th title.
Morocco World
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Morocco World
WAFCON 2024: Nigeria Books Ticket to the Final Match
Rabat — Nigeria's Super Falcons clinched a dramatic 2–1 victory over South Africa's Banyana Banyana in the 2024 WAFCON semifinal at Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, securing their place in the final. The first goal arrived in the 45+5th minute when Rasheedat Ajibade calmly converted a penalty after a VAR-checked handball, putting Nigeria in front . Just three minutes later, South Africa responded immediately with Linda Motlhalo equalizing from another spot kick, restoring parity at 1–1. The deadlock persisted until deep into stoppage time, where Nigeria struck again. In the 90+4th minute, substitute Michelle Alozie headed in a pinpoint corner to silence the crowd and send Nigeria through. While the goal didn't appear in live commentary, multiple sources confirmed Nigeria's late breakthrough and 2–1 progression to the final. It was a match of two contrasting styles — South Africa dominating possession, Nigeria imposing their physicality and aerial strength. Banyana applied relentless pressure after halftime but were undone by Nigeria's prowess. The result sends Nigeria into Saturday's final with momentum and belief in their pursuit of a 10th WAFCON title, while South Africa's title defense concludes here.
TimesLIVE
4 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Banyana take aim at Senegal in tricky Wafcon quarterfinal in Morocco
Banyana Banyana midfielder Linda Motlhalo has cautioned against complacency when they take on less-fancied Senegal in the quarterfinal stage of the Caf Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon). South Africa are favourites going into Saturday's clash at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco, but vastly experienced Motlhalo said they must be on top of their game if they are to stay on course to defend their title. Banyana topped Group C with seven points — two wins and a draw — while the Lionesses of Teranga scraped through as one of the third-best placed finishers after defeats to Morocco and Zambia and a win over DR Congo. 'We played against Senegal before and they are a very good team,' said Motlhalo who was part of the squad that faced Senegal last year. 'They are growing and so are other African teams. From when we played them to now, there is a huge difference. They also have players that have now signed for overseas teams, which says a lot about Senegal. 'They are looking good, but we have a plan,' said Motlhalo. Banyana coach Desiree Ellis is not taking any chances and said they must keep a clean sheet. 'It's going to be a game of those small margins — the final and knockout games are never easy. So we really have to make sure that we are in charge in everything that we do. 'We do as best as we can. But keeping a clean sheet will also be of utmost importance.' The last time they met in two friendlies in Dakar, the first match was a draw and the second a 2-0 victory for South Africa thanks to goals from Amogelang Motau and Noxolo Cesane. 'Playing a team before doesn't mean anything, those results are in the past, this is a competition and they are not in the quarterfinals by fluke. They are there because they deserve to be there and we have to be on top of our game to make sure that we get the result,' added Ellis. For the West Africans, they have matched their best finish of the last eight in 2022 and they intend to go further. 'South Africa are the favourites, they are the better team and we are the challengers. A win will be good for Senegal because it will be the first time we win this round, but we will need confidence, not give in to pressure and show Senegalese football in this competition. 'We are also happy to be playing against top teams on the continent like Morocco, Zambia and now South Africa,' said Senegal coach Mousse Cisse.
