Nigeria’s Super Falcons have failed to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time after a 2-1 defeat by South Africa in a WAFCON 2026 play-off in Casablanca.
The result ends Nigeria’s record of appearing at every edition of the Women’s World Cup since the tournament began in 1991. It also leaves the nine-time African champions facing one of the most disappointing moments in the history of the team.
Nigeria entered the tournament in Morocco as favourites to retain the WAFCON title. Shockingly, their campaign quickly became difficult. They lost to Malawi in the group stage before Cameroon eliminated them in the quarter-finals.
Because the four WAFCON semi-finalists were guaranteed places at next year’s World Cup in Brazil, Nigeria were given another opportunity to keep their qualification hopes alive. A victory over South Africa would have sent Justin Madugu’s side into the inter-confederation qualification route. Instead, two second-half goals from Thembi Kgatlana and Refiloe Jane put South Africa in control and left Nigeria needing a late comeback.
The Falcons eventually found a route back into the game when Jane was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for handling the ball inside her own six-yard box. Christy Ucheibe converted the resulting penalty in the 93rd minute to make it 2-1. Nigeria then pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but South Africa goalkeeper Kaylin Swart produced a decisive save in stoppage time. She used her feet to deny Michelle Alozie and preserve Banyana Banyana’s victory.
South Africa had taken the lead in the 56th minute after Ronnel Donnelly released Hildah Magaia with an excellent pass from inside her own half. Magaia delivered from the left, and Kgatlana arrived to fire past Chiamaka Nnadozie. Nnadozie managed to deny Kgatlana again five minutes later. Swart was equally impressive at the other end, making a superb one-handed save to keep out Uchenna Kanu’s header.
Jane doubled South Africa’s advantage in the 77th minute when her effort took a deflection off Ucheibe and found the net. The Falcons had struggled to create clear opportunities for much of the second half. However, Jane’s handball gave them a lifeline. The South African captain appeared to have little reason to extend her arm, with Swart already positioned to deal with the situation on the goal line. Nigeria could not make the numerical advantage count.
Alozie came agonisingly close in the closing moments when she drove the ball across goal. However, Swart’s outstretched left boot to prevent it from finding the bottom corner. The defeat raises questions about Nigeria’s preparations and the direction of the team.
Last Dance for Oshoala?
The result could also mark the end of Asisat Oshoala’s WAFCON career. The six-time African Footballer of the Year was substituted shortly after missing an opportunity inside the six-yard box. The 31-year-old had battled through several South African challenges before poking the ball towards goal. Although her effort lacked the power to trouble Swart.
Oshoala remains one of the most decorated players in African women’s football. However, her future with the national team is now likely to come under scrutiny following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the World Cup.
For South Africa, meanwhile, the victory keeps their own World Cup dream alive. The 2022 WAFCON champions will join Ghana in the inter-confederation qualification tournament after the Black Queens defeated Ivory Coast.
However, South Africa are not yet guaranteed a place in Brazil. They will enter a six-team league in November and December alongside Ghana, Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei, Papua New Guinea and Ecuador. The top two teams from that league will progress to a final inter-confederation qualifying stage in February. There, three teams will ultimately secure World Cup places.
For Nigeria, there will be no such second chance. The Super Falcons have dominated the African women’s game for decades. Having won the WAFCON a record 10 times and appeared at every Women’s World Cup since the competition’s inception. That extraordinary run has now come to an end in Casablanca.
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