WAFCON: South Africa must have endurance to beat Nigeria – Dlamini

Former South Africa national women’s team captain Amanda Dlamini has explained what her country will require to beat Nigeria and progress to the final of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

The two African giants in women’s football will face off at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco, on Tuesday with a place in the final at stake. While South Africa reached the stage after beating Senegal 4-1 on penalties following a -0-0 draw in regular and added time, Nigeria punched their ticket in emphatic style after mauling favourites Zambia 5-0.

“It’s going to be a mind game. Both teams need to give it a go because they are equally incredible. Any team that wants to go pound for pound with the Nigerian team has to have that endurance and ability to go all the way and dig deep for 90 minutes,” Dlamini told CAFOnline.com.

“South Africa obviously knows what to expect in terms of physicality. They are an imposing team in terms of composure. It takes a lot mentally. For South Africa, they have to believe.

“Coming into this competition, they have to remind themselves that they are defending champions and carry that kind of attitude. As much as they have that attitude, they have to know that Nigeria has the same mentality of not going another year without the WAFCON title.”

On what South Africa must do to unlock Nigeria’s solid defence, Dlamini said: “For South Africa, I think the best way to unlock such a solid defence line of Nigeria, I think the best of the tournament so far, is just for them to show great composure in the 18-yard box.

“Be creative with lots of opportunities but their decision-making let them down. Having that composure and clinical finish in front of goal will really be the difference between Nigeria and South Africa.”

She added: “I think our biggest advantage is in the midfield. We have got a good playmaker and creative players with great technical abilities. They have good command of the ball and skills. I believe they can really have the confidence in rotating the ball like we always do to find openings. That might probably be the biggest edge and advantage that South Africa will have over Nigeria.”

The last meeting between the two women’s football giants was in 2022 in the group stages of the same tournament with South Africa winning 2-1, courtesy of goals from Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hilda Magaia, and went on to win the title.