When Nigeria and South Africa meet in football — at any level — it is more than a game. With a rich history and fierce rivalry between the two countries, the Super Falcons’ semi-final match against the Banyana Banyana at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Tuesday is more than a fixture.

It is a showdown between two African powerhouses, an encounter that fans have been waiting for since the start of the tournament.

WAFCON 2024 Semi-Final: Preview of Nigeria Vs South Africa – Key Players, Stats

The Super Falcons are record nine-time WAFCON champions, having missed out on the title only three times. South Africa, the defending champions, clinched their first crown in Morocco in 2022. They will be aiming to reach their third consecutive final in the tournament.

En route to this stage, the Super Falcons thrashed Zambia’s Copper Queens 5 – 0 while South Africa edged Senegal 4-1 on penalties after 120 minutes of gruelling football.

WAFCON Head-to-Head: History Favours Nigeria Vs South Africa

We’ve got history with @Banyana_Banyana and the next chapter unfolds tomorrow.#MissionX #WAFCON2024 #SoarSuperFalcons pic.twitter.com/covafL6d3Z

— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) July 21, 2025

While South Africa want to prove that their win three years ago was not a fluke, Nigeria are eager to reassert their dominance on the African stage. Both sides are no strangers to each other. Although early scorelines heavily favoured Nigeria, South Africa have steadily closed the gap.

The Banyana Banyana and the nine-time WAFCON title-holders have faced off 10 times in the tournament, with Nigeria holding the edge with eight wins. South Africa have managed two victories — the first in the 2018 group stage, and the most recent during the last edition of the women’s football showpiece. Beyond WAFCON, both teams have met 23 times in total, with Nigeria winning 15, South Africa winning four, and the remaining matches ending in draws.

WAFCON 2024: Key Players to Watch in Nigeria vs South Africa

With a place in Saturday’s final at stake and bragging rights on the line, Tuesday’s showdown will be decided not just by the history between the two nations but by the individual brilliance on display from both South Africa and Nigeria. The Super Falcons are beginning to look like a well-oiled machine after a shaky finish to the group stage.

One of the players who has helped shift the narrative for Nigeria is forward Esther Okoronkwo. The AFC Toronto player is the top assister in the tournament with four to her name. She scored one and set up another in the dominant win against Zambia.

Meanwhile, Captain Rasheedat Ajibade continues to underline her class at the 2024 WAFCON — winning Woman of the Match in two of Nigeria’s four games so far. While Ajibade has led by example, Chinwe Ihezuo’s contributions have been just as vital. The Pachuca forward’s three goals make her the Super Falcons’ top scorer in Morocco. One of those was the crucial late winner against the Mares of Botswana, which secured Nigeria’s qualification for the quarter-finals.

In defence, the 2018 champions have been rock solid, marshalled by the experienced Osinachi Ohale and supported by dynamic fullbacks Michelle Alozie and Ashley Plumptre. Nigeria remain a hard nut to crack — they are yet to concede a goal In the tournament.

MATCH DAY

CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations

Semifinals

?? South Africa vs Nigeria

22 July 2025

?? 18h00 (SA time)

Larbi Zaouli Stadium

SABC Sport#LiveTheImpossible pic.twitter.com/qjNfdSqAlZ

— Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) July 22, 2025

But just as Nigeria boasts of attacking fire and an impregnable defense, South Africa, too, have an arsenal of experienced, battle-tested players ready to defend their crown.

The pacy Thembi Kgatlana may not have been available for Desiree Ellis’s side, but Banyana Banyana can still count on the likes of Jermaine Seoposenwe, Hildah Magaia, and Lebogang Ramalepe to cause problems for Nigeria and steer the team towards another WAFCON victory over their bitter rivals.

Magaia’s brace helped South Africa to a 2-1 victory over Morocco in the 2022 final. The Club Tijuana player may not have scored so far in this edition, but her contributions to the Banyana Banyana have been crucial to the team’s advancement.

The stage is ready for the clash between Nigeria and South Africa at the 2024 edition of the WAFCON.

Here is all to know about the historic game in Morocco:

Date: July 22, 2025

Kickoff Time: 5 pm (WAT/Nigeria time).

Match Venue: Stade Larbi Zaouli, Casablanca, Morocco.

With everything to play for, Tuesday’s contest promises to be a thrilling encounter with pride and history very much on the line. For the Super Falcons, victory would bring them one step closer to a record-extending 10th WAFCON title — a milestone Nigeria have dubbed ‘Mission X’. South Africa, meanwhile, are eager to prove themselves as a rising powerhouse in African women’s football.

As both teams take to the pitch in Casablanca, fans can expect a classic WAFCON battle — this time, with the added stakes of a coveted place in Saturday’s final. (Channels TV)