Nigeria were given renewed hope two minutes before the end of normal time when Jane handled Alozie’s header inside the box
By Njoku Vincent
The Super Falcons of Nigeria have been eliminated from the race for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup after suffering a 2-1 defeat to South Africa’s Banyana Banyana on Thursday.
The loss represents a historic blow for the nine-time African champions, who will miss the Women’s World Cup for the first time since the tournament was launched in 1991.
Nigeria entered the encounter hoping to secure a place in the Inter-Confederation Playoffs after both teams were knocked out of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations at the quarter-final stage.
While South Africa were beaten 2-0 by hosts Morocco, Nigeria exited the continental competition following a 1-0 loss to Cameroon.
The Falcons began the decisive clash at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca on the front foot, with Asisat Oshoala and Francisca Ordega leading several promising attacking moves.
Michelle Alozie came close to giving Nigeria the lead in the first half when she found herself in a good position inside the South African penalty area, but her shot narrowly missed the target.
Nigeria maintained pressure after the interval and appeared to have the better share of possession, but South Africa struck first in the 56th minute through Thembi Kgatlana.
The Falcons responded by pushing forward for an equaliser, only to concede a second goal in the 77th minute.
South African captain Refiloe Jane followed up on a rebound and saw her effort deflect off Nigeria substitute Christy Ucheibe before finding the net.
Nigeria were given renewed hope two minutes before the end of normal time when Jane handled Alozie’s header inside the box.
After a VAR intervention, the referee awarded a penalty to Nigeria and sent Jane off after showing her a second yellow card.
Ucheibe calmly converted from the spot to reduce the deficit to 2-1, but the Falcons could not complete the comeback despite applying heavy pressure in the closing minutes.
The victory sends South Africa into the preliminary round of the Inter-Confederation Playoffs, where they will compete alongside five other nations for qualification places at the 2027 World Cup.
Nigeria, meanwhile, are left to contemplate a historic failure to qualify for the tournament, ending their ever-present record that had stood since the first edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1991.