South Africa defeated Morocco 2-1 in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON, final to win the tournament for the first time, ending years of disappointment.
South Africa took the lead at the WAFCON Final after the second half thanks to a pair of goals by Hildah Magaia, and held off a late Moroccan charge to win. The 53,000-seat Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, was packed with enthusiastic spectators, but South Africa maintained composure despite the rowdy supporters.
After falling short in each of its previous four WAFCONs dating back to 2000, South Africa finally achieved victory on Saturday.
“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,” captain Refiloe Jane told reporters after the match.
She added; “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.”
With Morocco and Zambia joining the other champions of the Africa Cup of Nations, Australia and New Zealand, South Africa’s victory guarantees the team a spot in the 2023 World Cup.