South Africa’s Banyana Banyana defeated Nigeria’s Super Falcons 2-1 in Casablanca on Thursday to advance to the Inter-Confederation Play-Off Tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The result ended Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the tournament and brought an end to the Super Falcons’ record of appearing at every previous edition of the Women’s World Cup. FIFA records show Nigeria had featured in all nine editions before 2027.
Both teams entered the play-off after quarter-final defeats at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, with Nigeria losing 1-0 to Cameroon and South Africa falling 2-1 to hosts Morocco.
Thembi Kgatlana broke the deadlock in the second half before South Africa captain Refiloe Jane doubled the lead.
Nigeria pulled one back through Christy Ucheibe from the penalty spot in stoppage time after Jane was sent off for handball. However, South Africa held on to secure the victory.
Banyana Banyana will now compete in the preliminary phase of the Inter-Confederation Play-Off Tournament, where two teams will advance to the final phase. The final phase will determine the three remaining qualifiers for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
For Nigeria, the defeat marks the first time the Super Falcons have failed to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
