Johannesburg - Hosts Equatorial Guinea struck three times in the second half to outclass South Africa 4-0 in the final of the African Women's Championships in Malabo on Sunday evening.

Banyana Banyana, looking for their first continental title after reaching the final for the fourth time, managed to hold off the host nation for most of the first half.

Gloria Chinasa, however, netted with a close-range header in the 43rd minute to give Equatorial Guinea the lead at the interval, and they tore clear after the break.

Striker Tiga came on as a replacement in the 65th minute, and she scored from a volley a few seconds later to stretch the gap.

Geneveva Ayonman netted with less than 20 minutes left, and a minute later Chinasa bagged her brace as Banyana were left floundering.

The South Africans had lost only one other match in the tournament, having gone down to the hosts in the opening game.

Equatorial Guinea, who scored 18 goals and did not concede once in five games, lifted the trophy for the second time in the last three editions of the continental showpiece.

Cameroon beat Nigeria 1-0 to win the third-place playoff.

The next edition of the tournament will be held in Namibia in 2014.