Michelle Alozie’s delivery from deep into the box eluded Banyana Banyana keeper Andile Dlamini in the 94th minute to keep alive the West Africans’ hopes of securing a record-extending 10th continental title.

The Super Falcons had led in Casablanca through Rasheedat Ajibade’s penalty on the stroke of half-time after Bambanani Mbane was penalised for handling Folashade Ijamilusi’s shot.

But the holders fought back in the second half and levelled on the hour mark through a composed Linda Motlhalo spot-kick, awarded when Osinachi Ohale tugged back Hildah Magaia.

That was the first goal the Nigeria had conceded at this year’s finals and it knocked the nine-time champions out of their stride.

South Africa had to deal with a serious-looking injury to Gabriela Salgado with six minutes remaining but, just as the game appeared to be heading to extra time, Alozie struck to spark jubilant celebrations.

They will face either hosts Morocco or Ghana in the final, with those sides meeting in Tuesday’s late last-four tie (19:00 GMT).

Mission X remains on track

South Africa’s quarter-final against Senegal had gone to extra time and penalties and, having had a day’s less rest than their opponents, they made a nervy start at Larbi Zaouli Stadium.

The Super Falcons had a brilliant double chance in the 11th minute with Dlamini saving from Esther Okoronkwo before centre-back Tiisetso Makhubela both headed clear and then blocked Chinwendu Ihezuo’s follow-up in front of the goalline.

South Africa were forced to reorganise after losing Makhubela to injury midway through the half but appeared to be heading in level at the break before Ijamilusi fired an effort into the left hand of Mbane, who was barely two yards away.

Dlamini got a hand to Ajibade’s low penalty, but the effort had enough power to put Nigeria ahead, and the South Africa goalkeeper almost gifted her opponents another goal in the first minute of the second half when she dropped a cross just yards out.

Nigeria’s level dropped in the second half and South Africa, who had rarely threatened, were gifted a way back into the content by a defensive lapse in concentration which was confirmed by VAR.

Motlhalo sent Super Falcons keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie the wrong way from the spot to set up a fiercely contested and tense final half hour.

Noxolo Cesane almost put South Africa in front in the 73rd minute when she slid in to meet a deep cross from the left, but her effort did not have enough on it to roll over the line and Ohale eventually cleared.

Salgado’s injury after a scramble in the box disrupted the final stages – with several Banyana players in clear distress before she was taken off on a stretcher – and contributed to six minutes of stoppage time.

Alozie’s lofted delivery looked hopeful but bounced just outside the six-yard box and the presence of onrushing Nigerians Ihezuo and Deborah Abiodun provided an added distraction for Dlamini, with the ball ending up in the net despite the desperate efforts of Fikile Magama.

Abiodun claimed the goal but replays showed she did not get a touch and it was eventually awarded to the Super Falcons right-back.

The manner of the outcome was harsh on South Africa who put in a committed performance despite the injury setbacks they encountered throughout the match.

They had been bidding for their second Wafcon title and to reach a third successive final under coach Desiree Ellis, whose future is now up in the air after nine years in charge.

Nigeria’s quest to reclaim the trophy they last lifted in 2018, which has been dubbed Mission X, remains on track – but the Super Falcons faced a far sterner examination than they had during the quarter-finals when they beat Zambia 5-0.

The news came a day after Fifa, world football’s governing body, announced it has opened an office in New York’s Trump Tower.

The United States is hosting the first edition of an expanded Club World Cup and will be a co-host for next year’s World Cup, along with Canada and Mexico.

Chelsea will face either Paris St-Germain or Real Madrid in the Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, which will also host next year’s World Cup final.

Trump, who attended the Super Bowl in February, is chair of a taskforce he established to oversee preparations for each tournament.

Fifa already has an office in Miami and having a presence in Trump Tower will strengthen the organisation’s relationship with the US administration.

“We have received such a big support from the government and from the president with the White House taskforce for the Fifa Club World Cup and for the Fifa World Cup next year,” said Fifa president Gianni Infantino.

“Fifa is a global organisation and to be global you have to be local, you have to be everywhere, so we have to be in New York.”

Infantino has assured fans they will be welcomed to the US, despite Trump’s immigration crackdown and a travel ban on 12 countries.

However, Trump is reportedly considering expanding travel restrictions to as many as 36 additional countries.

Trump has had a greater presence in sport during his second term, becoming the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl and announcing in May that Washington DC will host the 2027 NFL Draft.

Trump has also attended several UFC events, including last month’s showcase in New Jersey, and has said the White House will host a UFC event next year.

While United’s squad have been told they can purchase up to 10 more tickets for the game against Spurs on 21 May at San Mames Stadium, they will also be responsible for organising how friends and relatives get in and out of the northern Spanish city.

United say they are committed to ensuring as many tickets as possible from the club’s official 15,000 allocation go to supporters.

At the weekend it was revealed staff will not receive free tickets for the game as previously used to be the case. Instead a viewing party is being hosted in central Manchester.

The decisions come after a series of cost-cutting measures at the club which have included redundancies and the removal of free lunches for staff.

In addition, it has been established if United win, their intention is to celebrate by holding a barbeque at the club’s Carrington training ground.

Tottenham are yet to announce their plans in the event of victory but it is expected they will have a parade to show off the trophy.

Newcastle held a parade in the city in March to mark their Carabao Cup triumph, while Liverpool are due to host one on 26 May following their Premier League title success.

United have not held a trophy parade since 2013, which coincided with Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. Players were famously irritated in 2008 to discover there was no such celebration to mark their Champions League triumph over Chelsea.

Hosting one this season would have been logistically tricky.

Unlike their last Europa League success, against Ajax in Stockholm in 2017 during Jose Mourinho’s time in charge, United will still have a Premier League game to play after the match in Bilbao – when Aston Villa visit Old Trafford on 25 May.

Immediately after that game, United fly to Asia for two post-season matches against local opposition in Malaysia and Hong Kong.

They return to Manchester on 31 May, after which players have to immediately report for international duty.

Portugal have a Nations League semi-final with Germany on 4 June, which would involve Bruno Fernandes and, if fit, Diogo Dalot.

World Cup qualifiers also take place in South America on 5 June and in Europe from 6 June.

This year’s final will feature the winners of two highly anticipated semifinal matchups: Berekum Chelsea vs. Asante Kotoko and Attram De Visser vs. Golden Kick. Both semifinal fixtures are set to be played this weekend at the TNA Park in Tarkwa.

Of the four semifinalists, only Asante Kotoko has previously lifted the FA Cup. The Porcupine Warriors last won the trophy in 2017, defeating Accra Hearts of Oak 3-1 in Tamale.

Berekum Chelsea are in search of their first-ever FA Cup title and will be guided by experienced coach Samuel Boadu, who won the competition twice with Hearts of Oak.

Meanwhile, Division One League sides Attram De Visser and Golden Kick—both from Zone Three—are aiming to make history with a maiden appearance in the final.

Ghana, seeking their fifth continental title since their 1982 victory in Libya, faces challenges despite recent performance setbacks.

Appiah, who successfully guided the team to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, remains optimistic about the team’s potential for a surprise run to the final.

Addressing the skepticism from Ghanaians, Appiah, currently the head coach of Sudan, emphasized that underestimating the team often leads to unexpected success.

He stated in an interview with Sienu TV, “You see, sometimes when Ghanaians underrate the team, that is when the team surprises Ghana. And it’s happened so many times. Looking at the quality of the players, I think they can perform very well. I believe they can get to the final.”

Under the management of Chris Hughton, the Black Stars are currently stationed in Kumasi, gearing up for the 34th edition of AFCON in Ivory Coast, set to commence in nine days.

To fine-tune their preparations, Ghana will engage in a friendly match against Namibia on January 8 at the Baba Yara Stadium before departing on January 10.

The opening match of the group stage is scheduled for Sunday, January 14, 2024, where Ghana will face Cape Verde.

Subsequently, the Black Stars will confront record champions Egypt in their second group match within four days before concluding the group stage against Mozambique on January 22.

Juventus secured their place in the final of the Champions League on Tuesday after beating Monaco 2-1 in their semi-final second leg to win the tie 4-1 on aggregate.

After their 2-0 win in last week’s first leg, goals from Mario Mandzukic and Dani Alves put the Italians out of sight before the interval.

Teen sensation Kylian Mbappe pulled one back in the second half for Monaco, but Juventus go through to a second final in three seasons, where they will meet either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid in Cardiff on June 3.