Banyana Banyana of South Africa ended Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, beating the Super Falcons 2-1 in their CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations play-off match.
Despite seeing their WAFCON campaign come to an end before the semi-finals, Banyana Banyana produced a spirited display to overcome the Super Falcons and move one step closer to securing a place at the global showpiece.
South Africa threatened first in the seventh minute when Linda Motlhalo tried her luck from distance, but her effort sailed over the crossbar. Nigeria responded three minutes later through Rasheedat Ajibade, whose strike from outside the penalty area drifted wide of the target.
The first half proved a tightly contested affair, with both sides battling 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 swift counterattack. Hildah Magaia provided the final pass for Thembi Kgatlana, who kept her composure to slot home and give Banyana Banyana the lead.
Kgatlana almost doubled South Africa’s advantage moments later but was unable to keep her close-range effort on target.
Nigeria continued to search for a response and came close in the 75th minute when Uchenna Kanu rose highest to meet a cross, only to see her header well saved by Kaylin Swart who produced a Woman of the Match performance.
Just a minute later, South Africa struck again. Refiloe Jane reacted to a loose ball inside the area and fired a shot through a crowded penalty box to make it 2-0.
Banyana Banyana nearly added a third immediately after the restart, but Magaia was unable to keep her effort down after meeting a delightful delivery into the area.
With defeat looming, Nigeria committed more players forward in search of a way back into the contest and were rewarded deep into stoppage time. Following a VAR review, the Super Falcons were awarded a penalty after Jane was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area.
The South African midfielder received a second yellow card and was sent off, while substitute Christy Ucheibe calmly converted from the spot.
Nigeria pressed for a dramatic equaliser in the closing moments, but South Africa held firm to secure a memorable victory and keep their FIFA Women’s World Cup ambitions 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.
For the first time in the history of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Nigeria’s Super Falcons will not be involved, when next year’s tournament is played in Brazil.
South Africa’s goalkeeper Kaylin Swart stood against the Super Falcons and victory in their FIFA World Cup playoff game in Casablanca, the only route left for both teams to continue the race to Brazil through the Inter-Confederations Playoff phases.
