Nigeria’s Super Falcons will miss the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup after suffering a 2-1 defeat to South Africa in the African play-off for the tournament on Thursday.
The defeat ended Nigeria’s hopes of securing one of Africa’s places in the intercontinental play-offs and brought an end to the country’s uninterrupted participation in the Women’s World Cup since the tournament began in 1991.
The Super Falcons, defending Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) champions, had been given another opportunity to qualify for the global tournament after losing to Cameroon in the quarter-finals of the 2026 WAFCON.
However, South Africa took advantage of the opportunity, defeating the perennial African champions 2-1 to claim one of the continent’s tickets to the intercontinental play-offs.
The result means Nigeria will be absent from the Women’s World Cup for the first time since the competition was introduced in 1991.
Meanwhile, Cameroon booked a place in the WAFCON final after defeating hosts Morocco 3-1 on penalties following a goalless draw after extra time.
Cameroon will face giant-killers Malawi in the final, after Malawi continued their impressive run despite being ranked 153rd in the world—116 places below Nigeria, who entered the tournament as one of the favourites and Africa’s record 10-time champions.
Nigeria and Cameroon have traditionally dominated the continental competition. Apart from Nigeria, only Equatorial Guinea, twice, and South Africa, once, have won the WAFCON since its inaugural edition in 1998.
