Nigeria’s Super Falcons have failed to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time after a 2-1 defeat to South Africa in a 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) play-off in Casablanca.
The defeat ended Nigeria’s 35-year record of appearing at every edition of the Women’s World Cup since the tournament began in 1991.
The Falcons needed victory to keep their World Cup hopes alive after exiting the WAFCON quarter-finals following a defeat to Cameroon.
South Africa took the lead in the 56th minute through Thembi Kgatlana before Refiloe Jane’s deflected effort doubled the advantage in the 77th minute.
Nigeria reduced the deficit in stoppage time after Jane was sent off for a second yellow card for handling the ball inside the box.
Christy Ucheibe converted the resulting penalty in the 93rd minute to give the Falcons hope.
However, South Africa goalkeeper Kaylin Swart made a crucial late save with her feet to deny Michelle Alozie and preserve Banyana Banyana’s victory.
The result ends Nigeria’s record of qualifying for every Women’s World Cup, despite the Falcons being the most successful team in WAFCON history with 10 titles.
The defeat also casts uncertainty over the future of veteran forward Asisat Oshoala, who was substituted after a largely ineffective outing.
South Africa will now advance alongside Ghana to the next phase of the World Cup qualification process, where they will battle Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei, Papua New Guinea and Ecuador for a place in the final inter-confederation play-off for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
