Talented midfielder Linda Motlhalo – cool as a cucumber – slotted her 90th-minute penalty into the corner of the Zambia net to send South Africa’s Banyana Banyana into the Finals of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco on Monday night.
Against the run of play, Banyana’s striker Jermaine Seoposenwe was fouled by Zambian defender Martha Tembo to earn the penalty, which Motlhalo converted.
The penalty was somewhat controversial with the VAR taking several minutes for a decision to be made before the ref reviewed it for herself and pointed to the spot.
Replays on the big screen suggested the foul was on the penalty line.
Banyana’s 1-0 victory against the Copper Queens puts South Africa in the finals for the fifth time.
In the late WAFCON semi-final, Morocco beat Nigeria to set up a final against South Africa.
The hosts beat nine-woman Nigeria 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
Atlas Lionesses goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmici saved Super Falcon Ifeoma Onumonu’s spot kick in the second round of the shootout.
Up stepped Atlas Lionesses striker Rosella Ayane, who plays for Tottenham Hotspur in England. She made no mistake scoring the winning penalty kick.
