South Africa were crowned winners of the first edition of the Aisha Buhari Cup after beating Nigeria 4-2 on Tuesday 21, 2021 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Abuja.
The tournament pitted six nations which includes Ghana, South Africa, Cameroon, Mali, Morocco and the hosts Nigeria.
Aisha Buhari, the Nigeria’s first lady, endorsed the championship, which is one of the programmes aimed at uplifting the girl/child in the continent.
South Africa took the lead on the fifth minute thanks to an own goal from Chidi Alozie, who was unable to clear a ball in from Hilda Magaia.
Linda Motlhalo gave Banyana Banyana the second goal on 18th minute when she converted a penalty after experienced Nigeria defender Onomi Ebi handled the ball in the box.
Gabriela Salgado scored the third moments before half-time, heading in from close range after some good work from Thembi Kgatlana.
Nigeria scored their two goals within the ten minutes of the second stanza courtesy of second-half substitute Vivian Ikechukwu
Mamello Makhabane scored from the spot in the closing moments of the game with a well-taken penalty.
It was a sweet revenge for South Africa having lost to Nigeria in the Africa Women’s Cup Of Nations Final in Ghana on 1 December 2018 where the Super Falcons edged Desiree Ellis’ charges 4-3 on penalties to clinch the continental title.
Nigeria started the Aisha Buhari tournament by defeating Mali 2-0 with both goals scored by substitute Gift Monday late in the second half.
South Africa were truly dominant and impressive in their 3-0 demolition of Ghana’s Black Queens on Friday.
All participating teams played just two matches each with the team with the highest points tally emerging as the champions.
Cameroon already finished at the bottom of the six-team table, having lost their two games without scoring.
The exhibition tournament was being used to fine-tune squads ahead of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next month, which in turn begin the long road to 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup qualification.
