By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS
Nigeria’s Super Falcons will miss the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time after going down 2-1 to South Africa in their 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup playoff encounter at the Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca, on Thursday night.
The defeat ended Nigeria’s proud record of appearing at every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1991.
South Africa’s Banyana Banyana advanced to the inter-confederation playoffs alongside Ghana’s Black Queens following the hard-fought victory.
The Super Falcons dominated proceedings in the first half but failed to make their superiority count as they struggled to find a way past a resolute South African defence.
Banyana Banyana broke the deadlock in the 56th minute through Thembi Kgatlana, who finished off a swift counter-attacking move.
Captain Refiloe Jane doubled South Africa’s advantage 13 minutes from time to put her side firmly in control of the contest.
Nigeria were handed a lifeline late in the game when Jane handled the ball inside the penalty area.
The South Africa captain was subsequently sent off after receiving her second yellow card of the encounter.
Substitute Christy Ucheibe converted the resulting penalty to reduce the deficit, but the goal came too late for the Super Falcons to complete a comeback.
The defeat brought Nigeria’s qualification campaign to a painful end and ensured the 10-time African champions will be absent from the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
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