Nigeria’s Super Falcons have suffered a historic setback after losing 2-1 to South Africa in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) playoff in Casablanca, ending their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The defeat means Nigeria will miss the Women’s World Cup for the first time since the tournament began in 1991.
The Super Falcons entered the WAFCON as defending champions and Africa’s most successful women’s national team, but their campaign unravelled after a 3-2 group-stage defeat to Malawi and a 3-1 quarter-final loss to Cameroon.
With the four semi-finalists earning automatic World Cup tickets, Nigeria’s defeat to Cameroon left the Falcons with one final route to the tournament through the playoff.
However, South Africa proved too strong in Casablanca.
Thembi Kgatlana opened the scoring in the 56th minute after Hildah Magaia created the opportunity, with the forward’s effort squeezing past Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Refiloe Jane doubled South Africa’s advantage in the 77th minute when her effort took a deflection off Christy Ucheibe.
Nigeria were handed a lifeline in stoppage time after VAR spotted a handball by Jane inside the box. Ucheibe converted the resulting penalty in the 93rd minute.
Jane was subsequently sent off after receiving a second yellow card, but the Falcons could not complete the comeback.
Michelle Alozie came close in the dying moments, only for South Africa goalkeeper Kaylin Swart to produce a crucial save with her foot to preserve Banyana Banyana’s victory.
The result also raises questions about the future of veteran forward Asisat Oshoala, who was substituted after missing a key opportunity in the second half.
Meanwhile, Ghana secured the other African playoff route after coming from behind to defeat Ivory Coast 2-1.
Ines Konan gave Ivory Coast an early lead from the penalty spot, but Ghana responded through Princess Marfo before Josephine Bonsu completed the comeback with another penalty.
South Africa and Ghana will now enter the FIFA inter-confederation playoff tournament alongside teams from Asia, Oceania and South America.
The six-team tournament will determine the remaining World Cup qualifiers, with the top two teams advancing to a final playoff stage.
For Nigeria, however, the road to Brazil 2027 has come to an unexpected end.
The Super Falcons, who have won a record 10 WAFCON titles and appeared at every previous Women’s World Cup, will now watch the global tournament from home for the first time.
