Nigeria’s Super Falcons have been eliminated from the race for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup after losing 2-1 to South Africa’s Banyana Banyana on Thursday in Casablanca, Morocco.
The defeat ends Nigeria’s record of appearing at every edition of the Women’s World Cup since the tournament began in 1991. The ten-time African champions had hoped to secure a place through the Inter-Confederation Playoffs after both teams were eliminated from the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.
Nigeria started strongly, with Asisat Oshoala and Francisca Ordega involved in several attacking moves, while Michelle Alozie came close to opening the scoring before half-time. South Africa, however, took control after the break, with Thembi Kgatlana putting Banyana Banyana ahead in the 56th minute.
Captain Refiloe Jane doubled South Africa’s lead in the 77th minute by converting a rebound after the ball deflected off substitute Christy Ucheibe. Nigeria were given a late lifeline when Jane was sent off following a second yellow card after handling Alozie’s header in the penalty area.
Ucheibe converted the resulting penalty in the 89th minute, but the Super Falcons could not find an equaliser despite sustained pressure in stoppage time.
South Africa will now advance to the preliminary round of the Inter-Confederation Playoffs, while Nigeria’s campaign for the 2027 World Cup comes to an end.
Leave a comment