Banyana edge out Senegal to set up a semifinal clash against Nigeria

Banyana Banyana players celebrate after their win against Senegal.

Banyana Banyana have secured their place in the semifinals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after edging out a determined Senegalese side 4-1 in a dramatic penalty shootout. After 120 minutes of tense and tactical football, neither team managed to break the deadlock, leaving the scoreboard untouched and the outcome hanging in the balance.

And this is how it ends pic.twitter.com/i9dHvDIAUr

— Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) July 19, 2025

The decisive moment came when Bambanani Mbane calmly converted the winning spot kick, but it was Andile Dlamini who emerged as the true heroine of the evening. Her two crucial saves during the shootout tipped the scales in South Africa’s favor and ensured their progression to the next stage.

Despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession, the reigning champions seemed out of sync throughout the encounter. Their usually slick and incisive passing game was disrupted, and they struggled to find their rhythm—a concern they will need to address ahead of their looming clash against Nigeria, who are hungry to reclaim their throne as the continent’s top team.

The Lionesses of Teranga delivered a spirited performance, applying intense pressure from the very start and closing down space to stifle South Africa’s creativity. Their tenacious approach nearly paid dividends, forcing the match into extra time and, ultimately, a nerve-wracking penalty shootout. In the end, however, it was Banyana Banyana’s composure and resilience that booked their ticket to the semifinals, setting the stage for a mouthwatering showdown with the Super Falcons.

Banyana Banyana will take on Nigeria at 18:00 on Tuesday, while the hosts, Morocco, will face the Black Stars of Ghana at 21:00, with all the top four sides looking to secure their berth in the 2025 Wafcon finals.