Nigeria’s Super Falcons will miss the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time in their history after suffering a 2-1 defeat to South Africa in Thursday night’s high-stakes CAF play-off in Casablanca.
South Africa strike against the run of play
Following their quarter-final exit to Cameroon at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), the play-off in Casablanca represented Nigeria’s final route to the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil through the Inter-Confederations play-off.
Despite dominating possession in the early stages at the Moulay Rachid Stadium, Nigeria were unable to convert their opportunities as South Africa remained compact and dangerous on the counter.
Banyana Banyana broke the deadlock in the 56th minute when star forward Thembi Kgatlana found the net against the run of play.
