Nigeria Players Abroad
South Africa end Nigeria’s World Cup hopes with play-off victory
Banyana Banyana ended the Super Falcons’ hopes of qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup with a 2-1 victory in their qualifying play-in on Thursday.
The defeat means Nigeria will miss the Women’s World Cup for the first time since making their debut at the tournament in 1991.
South Africa will now join Ghana’s Black Queens as Africa’s representatives at the intercontinental play-offs, which will determine further places at the 2027 tournament.
The two sides met in the play-in after both were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON). Nigeria were beaten 1-0 by Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses, while hosts Morocco defeated South Africa 2-1.
After a goalless first half, South Africa took control of the match with two goals in the second period. Thembi Kgatlana opened the scoring before captain Refiloe Jane doubled the advantage, although she was later sent off for deliberately handling the ball inside the penalty area.
Substitute Christy Ucheibe reduced the deficit for Nigeria in stoppage time, but the goal proved only a consolation as South Africa held on.
South Africa controlled much of the early play, while Nigeria remained disciplined defensively. The Super Falcons had their first notable opportunity in the 12th minute when Rasheedat Ajibade attempted a shot after a poor clearance, but the effort took a deflection and went behind for a corner.
Nigeria threatened again from a set-piece in the 39th minute. Jennifer Echegini delivered the ball into the area, but the South African goalkeeper made the save.
Michelle Alozie came close to breaking the deadlock five minutes before half-time when she sent a low strike from the edge of the penalty area narrowly wide.
South Africa also had a chance before the interval. Motlhalo’s effort from near the edge of the box in first-half added time went over the crossbar.
Nigeria should have taken the lead six minutes after the restart when Asisat Oshoala found herself with the ball inside the area following a cross, but her attempt lacked power and was comfortably saved.
South Africa moved in front in the 56th minute. Kgatlana met a cross from the left and calmly placed the ball beyond Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Kgatlana almost added a second six minutes later, but Nnadozie produced an important save to deny her from inside the box.
Nigeria continued to search for an equaliser and Uchenna Kanu went close with 15 minutes remaining. Her header from a cross was kept out by the goalkeeper, who pushed the ball behind for a corner.
South Africa extended their lead in the 77th minute when Jane’s shot inside the penalty area deflected off Christy Ucheibe and ended up in the net.
Nigeria were awarded a penalty in added time after a VAR review found that Jane had blocked a goal-bound header with her outstretched hand. Ucheibe converted the spot-kick in the 93rd minute to make it 2-1.
Alozie then had Nigeria’s final opportunity to force extra time, but her close-range left-footed effort was stopped by the goalkeeper’s outstretched left foot.
