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South Africa reach WAFCON final, target maiden title

South Africa will meet Morocco in Saturday's Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final after a 1-0 semifinal win over Zambia. AFP via Getty Images

Head coach Desiree Ellis is eager to see South Africa convert a successful 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) into a maiden title.

South Africa beat Zambia 1-0 in Monday's WAFCON semifinal to advance to Saturday's final against Morocco.

Linda Motlhalo converted a penalty in the 92nd minute. South Africa were awarded the penalty after the video assistant referee (VAR) deemed Jermaine Seoposenwe had been fouled on the edge of the box.

Saturday will bring a second successive WAFCON final - and sixth in total - for South Africa. They had lost a penalty shootout to Nigeria in the 2018 final.

"In 2018, we got so close, and then there was no competition in 2020," Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis said.

"This is a huge victory. We will celebrate like we normally do after every victory, and then we'll work and watch the game and then prepare for the final.

"We want to give ourselves the best shot at going for the gold medal.

"Now that we got this out of the way, we will look ahead and look at the opponent, work out a strategy and then it's up to the players."

South Africa reached the WAFCON final in 1995, 2000, 2008 and 2012 as well, but lost on each occasion.

Hosts Morocco beat Nigeria

In Monday's other semifinal, Morocco defeated 2018 champions Nigeria 5-4 in a penalty shootout. The scoreline was 1-1 after extra time.

Nigeria and Zambia will contest the third-place playoff on Friday.