Banyana End Falcons’ World Cup Hopes
Nigeria’s Super Falcons will miss the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil after a 2-1 defeat to South Africa in a CAF play-off match at the 2026 WAFCON in Morocco on Thursday.
The Falcons had already missed out on an automatic World Cup spot following a quarter-final loss to Cameroon on Sunday. That result also ended Nigeria’s run of reaching at least the semi-finals at every WAFCON and marked the 10-time champions’ worst finish in the tournament.
Needing a win to keep their record of appearing at every Women’s World Cup alive, Nigeria trailed after goals from Thembi Kgatlana in the 56th minute and Refiloe Jane in the 77th minute.
The Falcons pulled one back in added time through Christy Ucheibe’s penalty after a VAR review that also saw Jane sent off. But Nigeria could not find an equaliser as Banyana Banyana held on.
South Africa now progress to the intercontinental play-offs in November and December, where three more African teams can qualify for the 2027 World Cup.
It was a tournament to forget for Justine Madugu’s side. After winning a record 10th WAFCON title last year, Nigeria opened this edition with a 3-2 loss to debutants Malawi on July 28, before wins over Zambia 1-0 and Egypt 3-0. A 1-0 quarter-final defeat to Cameroon ended their title defence.