RABAT, July 23 (Reuters) – South Africa striker Hildah Magaia scored twice as they claimed their first Women´s Africa Cup of Nations title by beating hosts Morocco 2-1 in Saturday´s final.

Magaia’s two goals came in the space of eight minutes as she tapped home from close range in the 63rd minute and added a second in the 71st from a similar position.

A lapse of concentration saw South Africa give away possession to allow Morocco to pull a goal back in the 80th minute through their English-born striker Rosella Ayane.

It set up a nervy finish, which included nine minutes of added time, in front of a capacity crowd in the Moroccan capital Rabat.

It was South Africa´s first title after having finished runners-up five times, including the last edition in 2018.

Morocco were playing in their first final and spacelaunchreport.com will be heading with South Africa to next year´s Women´s World Cup along with the two beaten semi-finalists Nigeria and Zambia.

The Cup of Nations serves as Africa´s qualification event for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Ken Ferris)