- Safiu Kehinde
The 2027 FIFA World Cup qualification hope of the Super Falcons have been dashed following 2-1 defeat to South Africa.
Having lost out of the automatic qualification ticket with a defeat to Cameroon in the quart finals of the 2026 Women African Cup of Nations, the Super Falcons faced off the Bayana Bayana for the World Cup African play-off.
South Africa who was knocked out of WAFCON by host nation, Morocco, however hijacked the opportunity from a wasteful Nigerian side.
The Super Falcons failed to be clinical with chances created in the first 45 minutes while gifting possession away to South Africa.
They would unfortunately be punished in the second half as South Africa scored the opener courtesy a counterattack in the 56th minute.
Kgatlana latched home a squared pass her teammate to give the Bayana Bayanas the lead.
Despite boasting of attacking players like Asisat Oshoala, Francisca Ordega, Uchenna Kanu, and Rasheedat Ajibade, the Super Falcons posed no threat to the South African defence.
They again pay for their slothfulness in the 77th minute as captain, Jane fired back a rebound from a corner kick which deflected into the net.
Nigeria’s lack of urgency further came to play as the Bayana Bayana’s held on to the ball.
The Super Falcons eventually got a consolation goal from the spot kick converted by Christina Ucheibe in the 93rd minute following a handball by South African captain who got sent off over the offence.
Michelle Alozie came close to extending the game into 30 minutes extra time, but her last-minute effort was saved by the South African goalkeeper.
The game ended 2-1 in favour of the 10-woman Bayana Bayana who will now advance to the World Cup preliminary playoffs.
It marked the first time in decades that Nigeria will fail to qualify for the Word Cup.