Nigeria 2–1 South Africa Player Ratings: Ajibade Rated 9/10 as Stoppage Time Winner From Alozie Sends Nigeria to Women’s AFCON Final

The Stade El Arbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco, lit up to host the first semi-final encounter between South Africa and Nigeria. Both of them stood as the table toppers after the completion of group stage fixtures. Nigeria managed to top Group B after going unbeaten in their three games against teams like Algeria, Botswana and Tunisia. They won two games and drew a solitary game to reserve their spot in the semi-finals.

South Africa Women's Football Team, on the other hand, were Group C table toppers. They also went unbeaten in their group stages. They were drawn alongside tough teams like Ghana, Mali, and Tanzania.

The Nigeria vs South Africa Women's AFCON match began with Nigeria dominating from the very first whistle. South Africa relied more on counterattacks, and even their strikers couldn't make much of the opportunities created by the midfield. It finally took the referee's intervention to break the deadlock after he pointed out a penalty kick for Nigeria. Just a few seconds before the first hand, Ajibade scored the first goal before South Africa equalised in the second half. Post the scores were levelled, South Africa looked to drag down defensively while Nigeria kept building pressure.

South Africa defended with their heart and soul, and the veteran keeper between the sticks was phenomenal. Nigeria's constant threats finally saw them break the African defence. Nigeria Women's Football Team scored a stunning stoppage time winner via Alozie as they booked their spot in the finals of Women's AFCON 2025. The game ended 2-1 in Nigeria's favour as they booked a spot in the Finals of Women's AFCON 2025. Here are Nigeria vs South Africa Player Ratings from the first Women's AFCON Semi-final:

Nigeria Women's National Football Team Player Ratings

Here are the Nigeria player ratings from Nigeria vs South Africa Women's AFCON match:

Goalkeeper

Chiamaka Nnadozie - 7.5/10

The Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper had an easy day at the office after the opponent's player just had one shot on target in the first half

Defenders

Michelle Alozie - 7/10

The Houston Dash right back had a decent outing tonight from the right flank.

Osinachi Ohale - 8/10

She plays for Liga MX Femenil club Pachuca. She was a rock-solid presence in the back for Nigeria tonight, keeping the South African strikers at bay.

Oluwatosin Demehin - 7.5/10

Playing for the Turkish club Galatsaray, Demehin also had a decent match tonight in the defence.

Ashleigh Plumptre - 7.5/10

The Al Ittihad left-back's vast experience playing in different levels of top division football in Europe was crucial as she dominated the left flank tonight.

Midfielders

Folashade Ijamilusi - 7/10

The 24-year-old young Nigerian powerhouse in the midfield, Ijamilusi, did well in the midfield tonight.

Halimatu Ayinde - 7/10

The FC Rosengard player had a pretty decent match tonight for the Super Eagles.

Jennifer Echegini - 8.5/10

The PSG midfielder was subbed off near to the hour mark after she hardly did anything to help Nigeria tonight.

Strikers

Rasheedat Ajibade - 9/10

A proper captain's performance up front from the Atletico Madrid star as Nigeria took a lead in the match after a penalty conversion in the dying minutes of the first half.

Esther Okoronkowo - 8.5/10

The Toronto FC forward was the one who gave that crucial assist in the match to help Nigeria reserve their place in the finals.

Chinwendu Ihezuo - 6/10

The Pachuca forward took two shots in the game and failed to make any real impact in the game.

Substitutes

SUB - C Ucheibe - 7/10

SUB - S Isah - 7.5/10

SUB - D Abiodun - 8.5/10

Manager

Justin Madugu - 7/10

Madugu would call his team lucky after that stoppage time winner. However, his team constantly kept pushing for the winner, and that pressure finally yielded results.

South Africa Women's National Football Team Player Ratings

Here are the South Africa player ratings from Nigeria vs South Africa Women's AFCON match:

Goalkeeper

Andile Dlamini - 8/10

A terrific performance from the veteran South African keeper saw them keep the scores levelled until the end of 90 minutes as Dlamini made four big saves. However a late goal from Nigeria broke their final hopes.

Defenders

Fikele Magama - 7.5/10

A decent performance from Fikile saw her make inroads into opposition defence with her accelerated runs from the flanks.

Tiiseto Makhubela - 6/10

The 28-year-old African centre back was subbed off early due to some injury concerns. She played only 25 minutes of the match before being replaced.

Bambanani Mbane - 7/10

The African centre back held the defence tightly after her centre back duo was subbed off early. She made two tackles tonight.

Karabo Dhlamini- 7.5/10

The Mamelodi Sundowns left-back was really a menace from the left flank tonight.

Midfielders

Lebohang Ramalepe - 6/10

The 33-year-old veteran wingback was subbed off after failing to make an impact in the game.

Bongeka Gamede - 7/10

Playing for FC Nordsjaelland, Gameda ensured that South Africa dominated the possession and dictated the tempo of the game.

Linda Mothalo - 8.5/10

The 27-year-old Glasgow City winger made no mistake in converting the penalty as South Africa equalised against Nigeria via a penalty.

Refiloe Jane - 7/10

The TS Galaxy Queen should have tried to exert more pressure on Nigerian defence from the centre of the park.

Gabriela Salgado - 7/10

A decent performance from the flanks from Salgado as she adapted and fitted in perfectly with the 4-5-1 setup

Strikers

Jermaine Seoposenwe - 6/10

Playing for Liga MX club Monterrey, the 31-year-old veteran African striker couldn't make much of his chances in the first half.

Substitutes

SUB - Hildah Magaia - 6.5/10

SUB - Sinoxolo Cesane - 6.5/10

SUB - Holweni - 7/10

Manager

Desiree Ellis - 7/10

The 62-year-old South African gaffer has been a legend at Tottenham Hotspur. Her managerial career has seen her in the dugout of Tottenham and the South Africa team. Her tactics and strategies worked brilliantly as she managed to hold a strong team like Nigeria to a draw.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match: Rasheedat Ajibade