The Super Falcons of Nigeria began their 2022 Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign with a defeat to South Africa.

The 9-time African champions were beaten 2-1 by the Banyana Banyana in their opening group match at the Prince Heritier Moulay El Hassan on Monday night.

The first-half of the game ended in a goalless draw, but the South Africans went guns blazing in the second-half to snatch a deserving victory.

Jermaine Seoposenwe put Bayana Bayana in the lead in the 61st minute, before Magala doubled the lead three minutes later.

The defending champions, Falcons fought to get back into the game but were denied by the strong South African defense. The Nigerians managed to get a late consolation goal through Ajibade’s extra time strike.

The Nigeria senior women lost their opening match to Banyana Banyana at the 2018 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations in Ghana, but went on to defeat the South Africans 4-3 on penalties in the final.