Nigeria’s quest for a 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title began on a shaky note on Monday as the Super Falcons lost 2-1 to Banyana Banyana in a Group C opener at the Prince Heritier Moulay El Hassan stadium, Rabat.

It’s Banyana’s third win in their last four meetings with the Falcons.

They defeated the Falcons 4-2 at the Aisha Buhari Cup in Lagos last year and at the 2018 WAFCON.

The Falcons came into the game against South Africa as favourites, following their pedigree in the competition, but two quick goals from Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hilda Magaia in two minutes handed the South Africans their fourth-ever win over the Falcons.

Nine-time winners Falcons were on the back foot from the start as the Bayana dominated play and possession but could not make their dominance count in the first half, which ended goalless.

The much-anticipated game, on day three of the tournament in Morocco, was initially a cagey affair with neither side able to create any real chances to score in the first half.

In the second half, Asisat Oshola, the four-time African Women’s Footballer of The Year, was gifted an opportunity as the Banyana defenders failed to avert danger inside the box and the Barcelona Femini striker struck it firmly on the half volley, but goalkeeper Andile Dlamini made a spectacular save to thwart the dangerous forward.

Noxolo Cesane then set up the opener, and Seoposenwe did well to tuck away just when it seemed the ball was getting away from her.

Refiloe Jane was creator of the second goal, with Hildah Magaia finishing with a left-footed effort.

Nigeria surprisingly had nothing in reaction after the two goals and limped their way through the rest of the match, only to suddenly grab a consolation in stoppage time through Rasheedat Ajibade.

The champions must now regroup for the clash against Botswana in Rabat on Thursday.