Banyana Banyana secured their first-ever Women's Africa Cup of Nations title after defeating hosts Morocco 2-1 in the final on Saturday night.
Women's Africa Cup of Nations Final
Result: Morocco 1-2 South Africa
Date: 23 July 2022
Venue: Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah
Desiree Ellis handed a re-call to Lebohang Ramalepe at right-back as Bongeka Gamede dropped to the bench, while Hildah Magaia replaced Thalea Smidt on the wing.
Banyana settled quite well in the early stages of the first half and were clearly not affected by the thousands of Moroccan supporters in the stands.
The South Africans were unable to take advantage of their early dominance as they struggled to carve out any serious openings in the final third, which allowed the hosts to get stronger as the half went on.
The game's first chance did fall to South Africa 10 minutes before the break when Jermaine slipped Magaia through on goal, however goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi rushed off her line to thwart the attacker.
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It was more of the same in the second half, with both nations playing at a lively tempo but it was the South Africans who got the breakthrough just before the hour mark.
Seoposenwe showed great pace and composure to beat skip past one challenge in the box before picking out Magaia, who slotted home with a first-time finish for her second goal of the tournament.
The lead was doubled in the 71st minute as some superb build up play ended with Magaia getting on the end of Karabo Dhlamini's cross before slotting into the back of the net.
Morocco, however, did pull a goal back with 10 minutes left on the clock as the hosts pounced an error from Ramalepe, with Fatima Zahra teeing up for Rosella Ayane for the close-range finish.
The host nation threw everything forward in search of an equaliser to send the game to extra-time, but Ellis' troops remained resolute in the closing stages, even with nine minutes added and held on to claim their first Cup of Nations title.
