2025 WAFCON Preview: Super Falcons Set to Face Banyana Banyana

Posted : 22 July 2025

Nigeria’s “Mission X” juggernaut continues to power forward as the Super Falcons aim to end South Africa's title-retention hopes when both teams meet in the second semi-final of the 13th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Casablanca.

In the tournament’s 27-year history, the Super Falcons have never failed to reach the semi-finals. Zambia, despite confident pre-match claims, proved no match for the record-holders, who cruised to a dominant 5-0 win in Friday’s quarter-final clash.

South Africa’s Banyana Banyana have long struggled against Nigeria, taking 17 years after their first meeting in March 1995 to earn their first win—1-0 in a Women’s AFCON match in Equatorial Guinea 13 years ago. Prior to that, they had suffered heavy defeats, including 7-1 and 5-0 thrashings.

Banyana Banyana claimed another group-stage win at the 2018 edition in Ghana, but Nigeria had the last laugh, lifting their ninth continental title after a penalty shootout win in the final. In 2022, South Africa again bested Nigeria in the group stage (2-1) and went on to win their maiden African title, beating hosts Morocco in the final after a semi-final victory on penalties over the Super Falcons.

Debate has intensified in recent weeks over which team is truly Africa’s best—Nigeria or South Africa—and that argument will be put to the test at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Out of 10 previous WAFCON meetings between the two sides, Nigeria have won six times, with South Africa claiming three victories. The only draw—at the 2018 final—was ultimately won by Nigeria via penalties.

In total, the two countries have faced each other 25 times since their first encounter on March 4, 1995—a 1995 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier that Nigeria won 4-1. In the return leg two weeks later, Nigeria humbled South Africa 7-1.

The Super Falcons have emerged victorious 15 times, with six matches ending in draws and Banyana Banyana winning four.

South Africa’s biggest win over Nigeria remains a 4-2 victory against a weakened Falcons side at the Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament in Lagos in September 2021. Most recently, Nigeria overcame South Africa to qualify for their first Women’s Olympic Football Tournament appearance in 16 years.

Both teams reached the Round of 16 at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, but it was Nigeria who captivated fans worldwide with their flair, resilience, and a famous victory over co-hosts Australia at Brisbane’s Lang Park—finishing the tournament unbeaten in regulation time.

In Morocco, forward Chinwendu Ihezuo remains in contention for the tournament's Golden Boot with three goals—just one behind Morocco’s captain Ghizlane Chebbak and Senegalese striker Nguenar Ndiaye.

With history, rivalry, and form all on the line, Tuesday’s semi-final promises to be an explosive encounter.

Head-to-Head: Super Falcons vs. Banyana Banyana

Date	Result	Competition
4 Mar 1995	Nigeria 4–1 South Africa	WC Qualifier
19 Mar 1995	South Africa 1–7 Nigeria	WC Qualifier
25 Nov 2000	South Africa 0–2 Nigeria	WAFCON
18 Dec 2002	Nigeria 5–0 South Africa	WAFCON
30 Mar 2003	South Africa 0–3 Nigeria	Friendly
11 Oct 2003	Nigeria 1–0 South Africa	All Africa Games
12 Mar 2004	South Africa 2–2 Nigeria	Olympic Qualifier
28 Mar 2004	Nigeria 1–0 South Africa	Olympic Qualifier
9 Jul 2007	South Africa 2–2 Nigeria	All Africa Games
18 Jul 2007	South Africa 0–4 Nigeria	All Africa Games
28 Jul 2008	Nigeria 5–0 South Africa	Olympic Qualifier
12 Aug 2008	South Africa 0–1 Nigeria	Olympic Qualifier
22 Nov 2008	South Africa 0–1 Nigeria	WAFCON
4 Nov 2010	South Africa 1–2 Nigeria	WAFCON
3 Jun 2012	South Africa 1–1 Nigeria	Friendly
23 Jun 2012	Nigeria 0–0 South Africa	Friendly
7 Nov 2012	South Africa 1–0 Nigeria	WAFCON
22 Oct 2014	South Africa 1–2 Nigeria	WAFCON
29 Nov 2016	Nigeria 1–0 South Africa	WAFCON
18 Nov 2018	South Africa 1–0 Nigeria	WAFCON
1 Dec 2018	Nigeria 0–0 South Africa (4–3 pens)	WAFCON Final
21 Sep 2021	Nigeria 2–4 South Africa	Aisha Buhari Cup
4 Jul 2022	South Africa 2–1 Nigeria	WAFCON
5 Apr 2024	Nigeria 1–0 South Africa	Olympic Qualifier
9 Apr 2024	South Africa 0–0 Nigeria	Olympic Qualifier

2025 WAFCON Preview: Super Falcons Set to Face Banyana Banyana

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