Banyana Banyana of South Africa ended Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil as they beat the Super Falcons 2-1 in their CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations play-off match.
Banyana Banyana were already out of WAFCON contention before the semi-finals but put up a hard fight against the Super Falcons to inch closer to a spot at the global showpiece.
South Africa threatened first in the seventh minute with a shot from distance by Linda Motlhalo, but the effort went over the crossbar. Nigeria replied three minutes later when Rasheedat Ajibade’s shot from outside the penalty area drifted wide of the target.
South Africa Crush Nigeria’s FIFA World Cup Hopes
The first half was a fiercely fought contest, with both sides fighting for control but unable to find the breakthrough before the interval.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 56th minute when South Africa launched a quick counter-attack. Hildah Magaia delivered the last pass to Thembi Kgatlana, who kept her cool to slot the ball home and give Banyana Banyana the lead.
Moments later Kgatlana almost doubled South Africa’s advantage but her close-range effort was kept out.
Nigeria kept probing for a reply and almost found one in the 75th minute when Kaylin Swart came up with a Woman of the Match performance to thwart Uchenna Kanu’s header after she rose highest to meet a cross.
South Africa struck again, just a minute later. Refiloe Jane struck a loose ball in the box and fired a shot thru a packed penalty area to make it 2-0.
Banyana Banyana almost got a third just after the restart, but Magaia couldn’t keep her effort down after meeting a delightful delivery into the area.
With defeat staring them in the face Nigeria threw more men forward in search of a route back into the contest, and were rewarded deep into stoppage time. After a VAR review, the Super Falcons were awarded a penalty when Jane had been adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area.
The South African midfielder was dismissed after a second yellow card and Christy Ucheibe, on as a substitute, calmly converted from the spot.
Nigeria pushed for a dramatic equalizer in the final seconds, but South Africa held firm to secure a memorable win and keep their FIFA Women’s World Cup hopes alive.
The result sees Banyana Banyana advance to the next stage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification pathway where they will continue their quest for a place at the global finals in Brazil in 2027.
South Africa Ends Nigeria’s FIFA World Cup Hopes
For the first time in the history of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Nigeria’s Super Falcons will not be in the mix when next year’s tournament is played in Brazil.
South Africa’s goalkeeper Kaylin Swart stands against the Super Falcons and victory in their FIFA World Cup playoff game in Casablanca, the only way left for both teams to continue the race to Brazil thru the Inter-Confederations Playoff phases.