South Africa have created history after a 1-0 win over Nigeria in the semifinals of the 2012 African Women’s Championship in Equatorial Guinea.
Banyana Banyana had never beaten the Super Falcons before in almost 20 years of trying, but have finally succeeded thanks to a first half goal from Janine van Wyk.
The Nigerians have long been the queens of African football, but South Africa can challenge that, especially if they go on to win the tournament. Banyana also qualified for the 2012 London Olympics while Nigeria stayed at home.
The decisive moment of the game came on 24 minutes when Van Wyk picked up the loose ball and fired in a shot that looped over the Nigerian goalkeeper from distance.
South Africa will meet hosts Equatorial Guinea in the final on Saturday, a repeat of the 2008 tournament decider that was won 2-1 by the latter.
Banyana also lost to Equatorial Guinea 1-0 in the opening match of this competition, but have got stronger as the competition has gone on.