Nigeria’s Super Falcons have been eliminated from the race for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup after suffering a 2–1 defeat to South Africa in their qualification play-off in Casablanca, Morocco.
The defeat ends Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the tournament in Brazil and marks a major setback for the nine-time African champions.
South Africa secured the decisive victory on Thursday, keeping their own World Cup hopes alive while ending Nigeria’s route to the global tournament.
The Super Falcons had entered the play-off needing a victory over Banyana Banyana to progress to the next stage of the qualification process.
However, South Africa held their nerve to claim a 2–1 victory and advance, leaving Nigeria outside the 2027 World Cup picture.
The result is particularly significant because Nigeria had been ever-present at the FIFA Women’s World Cup since the competition began in 1991. The latest defeat therefore represents a historic absence for one of Africa’s most successful women’s football teams.
For South Africa, the victory keeps their hopes of reaching the 2027 tournament alive as they move forward in the qualification pathway.
The defeat comes after Nigeria’s disappointing WAFCON campaign, where the Falcons were knocked out by Cameroon in the quarter-finals.
With the World Cup qualification opportunity now gone, attention will turn to rebuilding the team and preparing for future international competitions.