South Africa defeated Nigeria 2-1 in Casablanca on Thursday to secure a place in the Inter-Confederation Playoff preliminary round for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The defeat ended the Super Falcons’ hopes of qualifying for the tournament for the first time in their history.
Nigeria entered the decisive encounter after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, while South Africa were beaten 2-1 by hosts Morocco at the same stage.
With both teams needing victory to keep their World Cup hopes alive, South Africa took the lead through Thembi Kgatlana before captain Refiloe Jane doubled Banyana Banyana’s advantage in the second half.
Nigeria struggled to find a way through South Africa’s defence despite creating several opportunities, with goalkeeper Kaylin Swart making crucial saves to keep her side ahead.
