Nigeria miss Women’s World Cup for first time as Ghana keep qualification hopes alive
Nigeria’s long-standing record of appearing at every FIFA Women’s World Cup since 1991 has come to an end after a 2-1 defeat to South Africa in a WAFCON play-off in Casablanca.
The Super Falcons, who entered the tournament among the favourites, were given a final opportunity to remain in contention for Brazil 2027 after their quarter-final exit. However, South Africa capitalised on key second-half chances to secure victory and eliminate the nine-time World Cup participants from the qualification race.
The result marks a major setback for African women’s football’s most decorated nation, which has won a record 10 continental titles and had never previously failed to qualify for the global showpiece.
South Africa took control after the break through goals from Thembi Kgatlana and Refiloe Jane. Although Jane’s late dismissal handed Nigeria a lifeline, the Falcons could only pull one goal back from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time before their hopes were extinguished.
The defeat is likely to intensify scrutiny of Nigeria’s recent performances after a campaign that also included a group-stage loss to Malawi and a quarter-final exit at the hands of Cameroon.
Meanwhile, Ghana remain in the hunt for a World Cup place after fighting back to beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in another play-off encounter.
The Black Queens recovered from an early setback, overturning a first-half deficit with goals from Princess Marfo and Josephine Bonsu to keep their qualification dream alive.
The victory came amid off-field discussions over player welfare and outstanding financial entitlements, but the team responded with a determined display to secure progression.
Both Ghana and South Africa will now advance to the next stage of qualification, where they will compete in an inter-confederation tournament later this year against opponents from Asia, Oceania and South America.
Only the strongest teams from that competition will move on to the final qualification round, where the remaining places at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil will be decided.
Source: BBC
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