Metro
Super Falcons Miss Women’s World Cup For First Time
Nigeria’s Super Falcons have failed to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time after losing 2-1 to South Africa in a play-off at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON)….
Nigeria’s Super Falcons have failed to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time after losing 2-1 to South Africa in a play-off at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The Falcons, who had already been knocked out in the quarter-finals by Cameroon after losing to Malawi in the group stage, needed victory in Casablanca to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
South Africa took control after the break, with Thembi Kgatlana opening the scoring in the 56th minute before Refiloe Jane’s deflected effort doubled the lead in the 77th minute.
Nigeria were handed a lifeline in stoppage time when Jane was sent off for a second yellow card after handling the ball inside her own six-yard box.
Christy Ucheibe converted the resulting penalty in the 93rd minute.
The Falcons pressed for an equaliser, but South Africa goalkeeper Kaylin Swart produced a crucial late save with her feet to deny Michelle Alozie and secure victory for Banyana Banyana.
The defeat ends Nigeria’s remarkable record of appearing at every Women’s World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1991.
The Falcons, who have won the WAFCON a record 10 times, will now miss the global tournament for the first time.
The result also raises questions over the future of veteran forward Asisat Oshoala, who was substituted after struggling to make an impact and could have played her final WAFCON at the age of 31.
South Africa, meanwhile, will join Ghana in the next stage of the World Cup qualification process.
The two African sides will face Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei, Papua New Guinea and Ecuador in a six-team league later this year, with the leading teams advancing to the final inter-confederation play-off for places at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
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