'Massive three points!': Banyana coach Ellis elated with rare victory over rivals Nigeria

Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis hailed her charges' 2-1 victory against Nigeria on Monday at the Moulay Hassan FUS in Morocco, Rabat, as a "massive three points" in their quest to lift the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations title.

RECAP | Banyana Banyana kick-start Women's AFCON with victory over tournament favourites Nigeria

The highly-anticipated Group C encounter was, as expected, a spectacle of chances (scored and missed) and big tackles as the two nations, both title favourites, had no desire to make errors.

The opening stanza remained goalless, but 15 minutes after the restart Banyana broke the deadlock through Jermaine Seoposenwe, who netted her 17th goal in senior national colours. Two minutes later, South Africa doubled their lead with Hildah Tholakele Magaia finishing off a fine football display by Ellis' charges.

Nigeria did pull a goal back in stoppage time, but it was too late as Banyana held on for a rare win over the Super Falcons.

"We knew we needed a good start, to give us the confidence, to give us the momentum. They (Banyana) executed the plan to the T," Ellis expressed during the post-match press conference.

"In the first half, we could have played more through balls, but we executed much better in the second half.

"This is a massive three points, and it sets the tone for the rest of the tournament for us."

?? ????????????????????: ???? 1-2 ???? #TeamSouthAfrica bag an important win in their #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 opener vs. the title-holders #TeamNigeria! ?#TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 | #EmpoweringOurGame |@Football2Gether | @Banyana_Banyana pic.twitter.com/mwXYYPAZVe

Banyana had only managed to beat Nigeria twice in previous meetings at the Women's Afcon, with the last victory coming at the 2018