Super Falcons’ World Cup hope ends after South Africa defeat
Super Falcons on Thursday lost 1-2 to South Africa’s Banyana Banyana, ending Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The defeat means the 10-time African champions will miss the World Cup for the first time since the tournament was inaugurated in 1991.
The Super Falcons had been hoping to secure one of Africa’s remaining routes to the tournament through the Inter-Confederation Playoffs after both teams exited the quarter-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
South Africa lost 2-0 to hosts Morocco, while Nigeria suffered a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in their respective quarter-final matches.
At the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco, the Super Falcons started brightly, creating opportunities through swift counter-attacking movements led by Asisat Oshoala and Francisca Ordega.
Nigeria’s best opportunity of the first half fell to Michelle Alozie, who found space inside the South African penalty area but dragged her effort narrowly wide.
Coach Justin Madugu’s side continued to dominate possession after the restart, but South Africa broke the deadlock in the 56th minute through Thembi Kgatlana.
Nigeria pressed for an equaliser, but Banyana Banyana doubled their advantage in the 77th minute when captain Refiloe Jane converted a rebound that had deflected off substitute Christy Ucheibe.
Falcons were handed a lifeline in the 89th minute when Jane handled Alozie’s goal-bound header inside the penalty area.
Following a video assistant referee review, the referee awarded Nigeria a penalty and showed Jane a second yellow card, reducing South Africa to 10 players.
Ucheibe converted the resulting spot-kick to reduce the deficit to 2-1, but Nigeria could not find another goal despite sustained pressure in stoppage time.
South Africa will now be one of six teams at the preliminary round of the Inter-Confederation Playoffs for places at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The result brings an end to Nigeria’s campaign for the tournament, marking a historic absence for the nine-time African champions.
The failure to qualify also ends their unbroken participation at every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup since the competition began in 1991.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Economy
SAPZ sets up feedback forum to boost accountability
The programme coordinator of SAPZ in Kano, Aminu Iliyasu, disclosed this in Kano during the inauguration of the feedback forum for beneficiaries.
Faith
Religious leaders commit to dialogue, cooperation for peace in Nigeria
The leaders adopted resolutions to strengthen social cohesion, religious dialogue and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.
States
Nasarawa: SUBEB chairman cautions contractors on project specifications
SUBEB has charged contractors handling board projects to adhere strictly to specifications and deliver quality work.
Education
NLNG, NCDMB unveil research centre to boost engineering capacity
NLNG, NCDMB on Thursday unveiled plans to construct a state-of-the-art indigenous research and innovation centre in Port Harcourt.
NationWide
NTAC chief urges Nigerians to celebrate birthdays with acts of kindness
NTAC called on Nigerians to use special occasions, such as birthdays, to extend kindness and support to the less privileged rather than focusing on personal gifts.
Anti-Corruption
Many Nigerian youths greedy; ‘want car before careers, reward before work’: EFCC Chairman
“Many young people want quick results without process. They want a car before career; comfortable lifestyle before they labour. They want rewards before work,” Mr Olukoyede said.
