Nigeria FA congratulates SAFA on good sportsmanship

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) congratulated the South African Football Association (SAFA) on true sportsmanship following SAFA’s congratulatory letter sent to the NFF after the Super Falcons defeated Banyana Banyana in the finals of the African Women’s Cup of Nations.

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Banyana Banyana suffered a heart-breaking defeat to Nigeria 4-3 on penalties, with the two sides playing out to a goalless draw in regulation time in Ghana, on Saturday.

The NFF said, "Banyana played a great game and were well deserving of a place to next year's Women's World Cup in France, alongside Nigeria and Cameroon".

The letter also congratulated Banyana on their performance throughout the tournament as they proved to be "a difficult nut to crack" in the final with the game settled by the lottery of a penalty shoot-out.

Head coach Desiree Ellis and her side returned back home to a heroes' welcome at a packed OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday, after their impressive achievement of qualifying for a World Cup for the first time ever.

In emotional scenes, Banyana were serenaded by family and fans on their return with many dignitaries in attendance, and will be looking forward to the World Cup finals in June.

@thenff congratulates SAFA on true sportsmanship. @CAF_Online @FIFAcom ???? ?????? pic.twitter.com/0Zv5Q5NxUU

— SAFA.net (@SAFA_net) December 3, 2018