IFFHS DAILY NEWS WOMEN'S WORLD FESTIVAL 2022 - JULY 23
Picture : Hildah Magaia was the Hero of the Final !
South Africa win first WAFCON trophy in 6 final appearances
It was long in coming but hard work, determination and patience paid off in the end.
In front of obviously a record capacity crowd at a WAFCON game, the 14th TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2022 final game lived to its billing. South Africa and Morocco demonstrated the ethical values of the African game as they fought each other to a standstill during the first half. It took less than 20 minutes into resumption for the Banyana Banyana to break the deadlock. Jermaine Seoposenwa outran Yasmin Mrabet from the flank to provide the assist for Hildah Magaia to find the net in the 63rd minute. Thereafter the stakes were heightened for the Atlas Lionesses but nothing productive came their way. 8 minutes on, Karabo Dhlamini served a through ball for Magaia to make it a brace on the night. South Africa then curiously settled for nonchalant play allowing Morocco to bounce back. Substitute Ibtissam Jraidi found Fatima Tagnaout who provided the assist for Rosella Ayane to reduce tally in the 80th minute. The stadium came back to life as the game itself totally metamorphosed. But the rest of it, including 9 minutes of stoppage time did not alter the scores. South Africa therefore won their first WAFCON title in 6 final appearances.
Ghizlane Chebbak was the BEST PLAYER of the Tournament.
During the prize awards, the all-round best performances of the tournament were rewarded as follows:
- Fair play: South Africa.
- Best goalkeeper: Andile Dlamini(South Africa).
- Women’s Africa Team of the year: South Africa.
- Women’s player: Ghizlane Chebbak(Morocco).
Ultimately, the trophy was handed over to South Africa with captain, Jane Refiloe and record holder of 180 WAFCON appearances and most capped South African of any gender, IFFHS legendary player, Janine van Wyk receiving it from the hands of CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe.
Ahead of the 28th and last game of the tournament tonight, the 27th one last night crowned the Copper Queens of Zambia ( picture up) as bronze medalists. They defeated the Super Falcons of Nigeria 1-0 following a 29th minute own-goal by the Nigerian keeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie. Eventual Woman-of-the-Match, Evarine Katongo’s right foot drive had a rebound from the woodwork before crashing against the keeper for the net. Luck simply refused to bless several attempts by Nigeria, 15 shots against 8 and 60% ball possession, pushing many to conclude that the better side lost the game. What a tremendous achievement for Zambia in just three participations in the tournament!