South Africa secured a spot in the final of the ongoing Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (Wafcon) after beating neighbours Zambian 1-0 on Monday at Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca.

Banyana Banyana won the game thanks to a penalty Linda Motlhalo converted in the stoppage time.

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Ethiopian referee Lidya Tafesse Abebe gave Banyana the penalty after play had continued for a few minutes. Jermaine Seoposenwe was the player brought down. But Abebe didn’t award the spot-kick before VAR intervened. Replays show there was a slight contact, sparking noise that Zambia were robbed. 

According to many including Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis, the penalty was dubious. However, coach Desiree Ellis sees no shame that they were helped by the VAR to the victory.

“I didn’t see it [the incident that resulted to the decisive penalty]. But I knew there was a tackle. We’ve had many VAR decisions going against us. I am not going to say we got a favour. Because we actually created the clear-cut chances. And when you get given a penalty, you take the opportunity. That’s what VAR is for.” Ellis told SowetanLIVE after the game.

And the Zambia coach Bruce Mwape also wasn’t sure if it was really a penalty or not. He pointed out that his players were adamant there was no contact.

“The only thing I saw was the referee pointing at the penalty spot. Which means it was decided by the referee and the cameras [VAR]. According to the players who saw the incident, there was no contact. So we’re not sure.” Mwape said.

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South Africa will meet hosts Morocco in the final on Saturday at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat at 20:00 GMT.