South African women thrash Super Falcons to clinch 2021 Aisha Buhari Cup
South Africa’s female national side, Banyana Banyana have clinched the 2021 Aisha Buhari Cup after thrashing the Super Falcons of Nigeria 4:2 at the final match of the six-nation invitational FIFA-graded tournament in Lagos, Tuesday.
The match which was the last fixture of the six-nation tournament on Tuesday was South Africa’s second win of the tournament having earlier beaten Ghana 3-0 in their first game.
The Falcons had opened their campaign on Monday, with a 2-0 victory over Mali thanks to two late goals from Gift Monday.
In Tuesday’s encounter, Banyana Banyana took the lead in the 6th minute through an own goal after Michelle Alozie sent the ball into her own net in an attempt to clear Hildah Magaia’s cross.
In the 19th minute the South Africans doubled their lead from the penalty spot through Linda Motlhalo following a handball by Onome Ebi.
With a minute left in the first half, South Africa got their third off a header from Gabriela Salgago after the Falcons felled to clear their lines.
The Falcons came out more determined and pulled a goal back through Vivian Ikechukwu to make it 3-1.
Then in the 53rd minute Ikechukwu was on target again this time with a long range strike from distance which beat the South Africans.
However, it was the South Africans who competed the scoring as they extended their lead on 86 minutes. With the Falcons in search of the equaliser, South Africa went on the counter but Motlhalo was fouled inside the box.
The resultant penalty was converted by Mamello Makhabane to give South Africa a 4-2 win.
Earlier, the Black Queens of Ghana got their first win of the Aisha Buhari’s Invitational Tournament with a 2-0 win against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon.
From a 3-0 thrashing in the hands of South Africa at Day 2, the Ghanaians exerted revenge on the Cameroonian ladies, courtesy of goals from Princella Adubea and Vivian Konadu.
It was an exciting encounter that was witnessed by Fifa Secretary General, Fatma Samoura, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.
The first half produced few goal scoring chances as the two teams tried to size each other.
Adubea eventually broke the deadlock in the 60th minutes with a well taken goal.
Ghana could have extended their lead in the 75th minutes but Vivian Konadu failed to direct her low drive shot into the back of the net.
Her efforts paid off in the 89th minute when she dribbled past three Cameroonian defenders before slotting the ball past Cameroon’s goalkeeper Gabrielle Bawow Ange.
All through the game, Ghana erected an impenetrable wall at the back and mounted onslaught after onslaught at the fore, with Konadu, Elizabeth Owusuaa, Adubea and Nina Norshie.
The result for Cameroon means they leave the competition without a point, having already lost 1-0 to Morocco on Thursday.
Lagos state Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, along with Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick, FIFA Council Member Aisha Johansen, CAF Executive Committee Member, Kanizat Ibrahim and FIFA’s Head of Women Football, Sarah Bareman graced the final day of the competition.