Nigeria's remarkable run of appearing at every Women's World Cup since the tournament's inception in 1991 has come to an end after a 2-1 defeat by South Africa in a dramatic play-off at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Morocco. The result means the Super Falcons, ten-time African champions, will not be part of next year's showpiece in Brazil.
Nigeria had entered the tournament as favorites to defend their continental crown but suffered an early exit at the quarter-final stage against Cameroon, having already stumbled to a group-stage loss against Malawi. Their final route back into World Cup contention came through a one-off play-off against South Africa in Casablanca, with the winner set to progress into an inter-confederation qualifying pathway.
The opening 45 minutes offered little in terms of clear chances, but the second half turned into an enthralling contest. South Africa broke the deadlock in the 56th minute through a swift counterattack: Ronnel Donnelly threaded a defense-splitting pass from deep in her own half to release Hildah Magaia, whose low cross was turned home by the arriving Thembi Kgatlana despite a strong hand from Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
South Africa doubled their advantage in the 77th minute when Refiloe Jane's effort deflected off Christy Ucheibe and looped beyond Nnadozie. Nnadozie had earlier denied Kgatlana a second goal, while South African shot-stopper Kaylin Swart produced a spectacular acrobatic save to deny Uchenna Kanu's header.
The match took a chaotic turn in stoppage time when Jane, South Africa's captain, was shown a second yellow card for handling the ball inside her own box — a decision confirmed by the video assistant referee. Swart had been well positioned to save regardless, but the resulting penalty was converted by Ucheibe in the 93rd minute, setting up a tense finish. With Nigeria pushing for an equalizer against ten players, Swart produced another crucial intervention, using her foot to keep out a goal-bound effort from Michelle Alozie in the dying moments to seal South Africa's 2-1 victory.
Six-time African Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala had a glimpse of a chance for Nigeria earlier in the half but could not generate enough power on her shot from close range before being substituted, prompting speculation over whether the 31-year-old may have played her final Wafcon match.
South Africa now joins Ghana, who came from behind to beat Ivory Coast 2-1 earlier on the same day, in the World Cup qualifying process. Ivory Coast had taken an early lead through Ines Konan's penalty after just four minutes, following a VAR review. Ghana leveled through Princess Marfo's header from a corner before Josephine Bonsu completed the turnaround with a penalty in the 72nd minute, awarded after a lengthy VAR review confirmed a handball inside the box.
Ghana's win came a day after their players issued a statement alleging unpaid bonuses and allowances related to the tournament. The country's Ministry of Sports and Recreation disputed parts of the claims, with Sports Minister Kofi Adams stating that per diem payments had already been cleared, while a ministry official noted that a win bonus from the group-stage victory over Cape Verde was being processed.
Both South Africa and Ghana will next compete in a six-team qualifying league in November and December alongside Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei, Papua New Guinea, and Ecuador. The top two finishers will progress to a final inter-continental play-off in February, from which three teams will secure spots at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.