2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations: Resilient South Africa Edges Out Unrelenting Tunisia

2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations: Resilient South Africa Edges Out Unrelenting Tunisia

Keba Mothoagae
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:06 PM
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Africa
  • South Africa has booked its place in the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations semifinals
  • Banyana Banyana emerged victorious 1-0 in an arm wrestle for the ages against Tunisia in Rabat
  • This ensured that they, Morocco, Zambia and Nigeria booked a spot in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in New Zealand

South Africa edged out Tunisia 1-0 in a tense 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal at the Stade Moulay Hassan in Rabat.

Jermaine Seopesenwe's smart finish in the 14th minute proved to be the winner for the tournament favourites in an engrossing last of four quarterfinals.

banyana banyana, south africa, eagles of carthage, tunisia, 2022, 2023, fifa women's world cup, quarterfinals, semifinals, nigeria, zambia, morocco
Banyana Banyana celebrate Jermaine Seopesenwe's decider against Tunisia. Image source: @Banyana_Banyana
Source: Twitter

The result, significantly, ensured that Banyana Banyana, Morocco, co-favourites Nigeria, and rising power Zambia all booked their places at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The statistics suggested that the match was as cagey as one could hope for as a neutral, with only two shots from each side being on target all evening. The injury and Covid-19 ravaged Banyana controlled possession, but the Eagles of Carthage were prepared to make a fist of the scraps they lived off.

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The difference, truthfully, proved to be how the South Africans' goalkeeper Andile Dlamini handled all the balls into her 18-yard area, as well as any shot that the Tunisians took at her, professionally protected by a highly resilient defense that was well-drilled by coach Desiree Ellis.

Southern African rivals Zambia and South Africa will face off for a spot in the final on 23 July on Monday, 18 July; the same day that hosts Morocco will take on Nigeria in the earlier semifinal.

Only the Super Falcons have won the tournament, with every other nation looking for an inaugural victory.

Hosts Morocco defeats Botswana comfortably in 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal

Hosts Morocco have advanced to the semifinals of the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations.

Despite a tight-looking 2-1 victory over a game Botswana, their quarterfinal win was a relatively comfortable one.

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Keba Mothoagae
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