Nigeria fail to qualify for Women’s World Cup for first time after South Africa defeat

Economy World


The Nigeria women’s national team will not compete in the 2027 Women’s World Cup for the first time since the tournament’s inception.

On Thursday night in Rabat, the Super Falcons, the 10-time and reigning WAFCON champions, lost a crucial qualification playoff match 2-1 to South Africa. It was a game they needed to win in order to compete in the FIFA inter-confederation playoffs that begin later this year.

Nigeria had already been eliminated from the continental tournament last week when they lost to Cameroon on August 9, who will compete in their fourth-ever WAFCON final on Sunday against debutants Malawi.

After a scoreless first half, 30-year-old South African striker Thembi Kgatlana broke the deadlock in the 56th minute with a goal scored off a counterattack. Hildah Magaia received a through ball into South Africa’s attacking half and drove the ball toward the end line, drawing Nigerian defenders to her before releasing a cross to a wide-open Kgatlana to finish with ease.

About 20 minutes later, Banyana Banyana doubled their lead against a seemingly deflated Nigerian side that failed to clear a South African corner kick. Midfielder and captain Refiloe Jane pounced on the ball near the top of the penalty box and fired off a shot that deflected off Nigerian midfielder Christy Ucheibe and past goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

Nigeria were granted a sliver of reprieve when a handball committed by Jane in South Africa’s penalty box resulted in both a red card for the captain as well as a penalty kick for Nigeria. Ucheibe converted her shot, punching it past Banyana Banyana keeper Kaylin Swart. Buoyed with hope, the Super Falcons pressed hard, forcing more saves out of Swart, but were unable to equalize.

The Nigerian women’s side join the men in missing out on a World Cup, as the Super Eagles also failed to advance out of the playoffs to compete in the 2026 World Cup that took place this summer.

South Africa, who were 2022 WAFCON champions, will continue their journey toward the World Cup in Brazil at the inter-confederation playoffs, which will see them pitted against Uzbekistan or Chinese Taipei; Papua New Guinea; or a nation from CONMEBOL in South America.

Ghana will compete in the same playoffs, having beaten Ivory Coast 2-1 earlier on Thursday in Casablanca.

Nigeria’s men’s side also failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.