Banyana Banyana of South Africa have been crowned champions of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time.
Hildah Magaia was the heroine of the evening as South Africa survived a late fight back to beat Morocco 2-1 in the final on Saturday night at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Despite a late onslaught from the Atlas Lionesses, South Africa’s Banyana Banyana held on for the win to put an end to their long wait for the WAFCON title.
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After four heartbreaks from losing four different WAFCON finals, South Africa will finally go home and be called the best Women’s team in Africa.
South Africa had lost their four previous finals: in 2000, 2008, 2012 and 2018.
“It was a humbling experience, and an emotional one, when you look at the journey that we have travelled as Banyana Banyana,” captain Refiloe Jane told BBC Sport Africa.
“To finally get to this point meant a lot for everyone. When the final whistle went out, I was crying. It was the most humbling and emotional experience.
“I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much after a football match – that goes to show our journey, everything that we had to go through and things have finally come together.”
South Africa needed real composure throughout the game to silence a raucous home crowd that had filled the 53,000-seater stadium at least two hours before kick-off, and which lit up the Rabat sky with dozens of red and white flares during the game.
