Falcons out of World Cup race after playoff defeat to S’Africa
The Super Falcons of Nigeria have failed to renew hopes of making an appearance at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup after losing to Banyana Banyana of South Africa in a playoff on Thursday night.
Despite a late scare and a red card, South Africa held on to clinch a 2-1 victory over the Falcons in Casablanca.
Nigeria needed a win to qualify for the intercontinental playoffs which will determine their fate but they faltered once again.
It would be recalled that the Super Falcons failed to grab an automatic ticket for the World Cup after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in the WAFCON quarter-finals.
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South Africa produced a stunning performance to dump Nigeria out of the race to qualify for the Women’s World Cup for the first time since the inception of the tournament in 1991.
Thembi Kgatkana gave the Banyana Banyana the lead in the 56th minute before Refiloe Jane made it 2-0 in the 77th minute.
Christy Ucheibe scored a consolation goal for Nigeria from the penalty spot in the 93rd minute to make it 2-1.
South Africa held on to keep their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup alive.
In the other African play-off clash, Ghana earned a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast to also qualify for the intercontinental playoffs.
