Banyana Banyana Penalty Against Zambia Causes Bitter and Fiery Debate After 2022 WAFCON Semifinal

• South Africa's match-winning penalty against Zambia in the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations semifinal remains on everyone's lips
• Referee Lydia Tafesse controversial awarded a spot kick to Banyana Banyana after Jermaine Seopesenwe collided with Martha Tembo
• Linda Motlhalo stepped up in the 94th minute to slot the ball past Catherine Musonda

South Africa might be through to the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, but how they got there remains on everyone's lips.

Linda Motlhalo scored a 94th-minute penalty after Ethiopian referee Lydia Tafesse controversially awarded Banyana Banyana after Copper Queens defender collided with Jermaine Seopesenwe in injury time. Tafesse deliberated over the decision during a lengthy discussion with the video assistant referee (VAR).

The decision proved to be a highly contentious one, splitting social media down the middle about its merits.

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@nakulo4th said

"She [Tafesse] stopped the game at the 90th-plus minute to review an incident that happened 85th minute, where they both went for the ball. [Our] player [was] touched the outside 18 [before jumping into] the opponent. How does this become a penalty?"

@Kingpeter102 said:

I wanted to explain the penalty awarded to @Banyana_Banyana but I see it will be a waste of knowledge. That was a penalty all day long. It's a good thing that VAR picked it, because it's difficult to award such at first sight, but when you watch the replay... penalty."

@osasuo said:

Fans of #TeamZambia @Copper_Queens are right to be aggrieved. The winning ‘penalty’ given to @Banyana_Banyana in the #WAFCON SF was no penalty. The referee owes #Zambia an apology for her faulty #VAR call. Why didn’t she look at the pictures properly and confirm her first call?"

@_Tumelo said:

"I went through FIFA rules and it appears to be a penalty. Please correct me if I am wrong. The first contact was made when the Banyana Banyana player’s foot was on the line, meaning inside the box. #WAFCON"

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Regardless, Banyana Banyana will take on hosts Morocco after their equally controversial victory over Nigeria in the other semifinal. The match will kick off at 10pm CAT on Saturday night.

2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations semifinal: Controversial penalty squeezes South Africa past Zambia

South Africa qualified for the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations with a nervy 1-0 win over Southern African rivals Zambia at the Stade Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca.

As reported by Sports Brief, Linda Mothlalo scored a 94th-minute penalty to see Banyana Banyana reach their second final in a row.

The penalty was highly controversial and will be the subject of debate for a while to come.