Banyana versus Nigeria at AFWON
Hopefully, Banyana could finally find themselves at the top of the podium come the end of Saturday’s much-awaited encounter.
The national women’s soccer team, Banyana Banyana, is flying the South African flag high at the African Women’s Cup of nations, AFWON.
They have made it through to the finals, which will take place on December 1 in Ghana, taking on Nigeria. Having done the nation proud they also qualified for the Fifa World Cup for Women in 2019 in France.
The team was runners-up four times and has set their sights to finish the tournament on the first podium when they play defending champions Nigeria.
The match will kick-off at 6pm.
Standing between Banyana and a first continental title is the very strong team of rivals and in-form 10-time champions the Super Falcons.
The Banyana/Super Falcons rivalry dates back to the final of the second edition of the tournament in 1995. South Africa was making their tournament debut and Nigeria, the defending champions, 11-2 on aggregate.
Five years later, an improving Banyana side, lost in South Africa 0-2 to an unstoppable force marching to a fourth consecutive title. But already they showed signs of improving on an international level.
Eight years later, Banyana’s next appearance in a Cup of Nations final was against Equatorial Guinea, a narrow 1-2 defeat saw the hosts seeing them come up short again.
Yet again four years later Equatorial Guinea took the title and denied Banyana their honours. Now the time has come for Banyana Banyana to prove their worth by taking on the strong side of Nigeria. The team has already recorded a win in the first round against this mighty Africa team and will have a face-off in the finals, which is far more difficult than playing in the playoffs against them.
Hopefully, Banyana could finally find themselves at the top of the podium come the end of Saturday’s much-awaited encounter.
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