South Africa stunned the Super Falcons 2-1 in Casablanca on Thursday. The result keeps Banyana Banyana in the race for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The defeat ends Nigeria’s automatic qualification hopes. It also marks the first time the Super Falcons have missed out on the World Cup qualification route through the WAFCON knockout stage.
Both teams entered the clash after losing their quarter finals. Morocco beat South Africa 2-1, while Cameroon edged the Super Falcons 1-0.
That made Thursday’s meeting a must win contest. The winner would keep their World Cup dream alive, while the loser would leave the qualification race.
Banyana Banyana survive Super Falcons pressure
The Super Falcons started brightly and created the first major opening. In the 51st minute, Asisat Oshoala nearly punished a defensive error after South Africa failed to clear Oladipo’s cross.
However, the Nigerian striker could not get a clean shot away. South Africa soon made Nigeria pay for the missed chance.
Banyana Banyana broke forward quickly in the 56th minute. Jermaine Donnelly held the ball up before finding Thembi Kgatlana, who finished with her right foot after receiving the square pass.
Nigeria then pushed hard for an equaliser. In the 75th minute, Uchenna Kanu rose above Fikile Magama and headed towards goal.
Kaylin Swart produced an outstanding save, though, to deny Kanu and protect South Africa’s lead.
Banyana Banyana doubled their advantage two minutes later. Captain Refiloe Jane saw her effort take a deflection off Christy Ucheibe before wrong footing Chiamaka Nnadozie.
The Super Falcons refused to give up. Michelle Alozie soon met a cross from Jennifer Echegini at the far post, but her header failed to beat the South African defence.
Nigeria continued to create chances as the clock ran down. Alozie had another header stopped on the line from a corner, while officials also checked a possible handball.
The Super Falcons finally pulled one back in the 90th minute. Ucheibe calmly placed her penalty into the bottom corner after Nigeria won a spot kick.
South Africa then faced the final moments with only 10 players on the pitch. Nigeria immediately increased the pressure, with Ijamilusi hitting the crossbar from a corner.
Swart then produced another huge save in added time. She used her legs to deny Alozie from close range and preserve Banyana Banyana’s 2-1 lead.
The victory gives South Africa another opportunity to reach the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The top two teams from the six team preliminary round will join four nations that received byes into the final qualification round.
Those six teams will then compete in three ties. The winners of those ties will secure qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
For the Super Falcons, the result ends a remarkable record of reaching the World Cup through their dominant position in African women’s football. Nigeria must now look ahead after suffering a painful setback against South Africa.
