Nigeria Misses Out on 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup After Defeat to South Africa
Nigeria’s Super Falcons have failed to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time in their history, falling 2-1 to South Africa in an African play-off during the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon). The top-ranked team in Africa entered the tournament in Morocco favored to defend their title but faced elimination in the quarter-finals at the hands of Cameroon, following an earlier loss to Malawi in the group stage.
With the semi-finalists guaranteed spots in next year’s World Cup, Coach Justin Madugu’s side had one last opportunity to keep their hopes of reaching Brazil alive. The clash in Casablanca offered the winner a chance to enter an inter-confederation qualifier.
Second-half goals from South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana and Refiloe Jane sealed the victory for Banyana Banyana. Late drama unfolded when Jane received a red card for handling the ball inside her own six-yard box. Christy Ucheibe converted the resulting penalty in the 93rd minute, bringing some excitement to the final moments, but goalkeeper Kaylin Swart of South Africa made a crucial save in the dying seconds to deny Michelle Alozie.
The 2022 Wafcon champions, alongside Ghana, will now compete in FIFA’s inter-confederation qualifier after Ghana’s Black Queens came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast earlier on Thursday.
Black Queens Progress Despite Pay Dispute
In the earlier match in Casablanca, Ivory Coast struck first within just 44 seconds, awarded a penalty after Bernadette Kakounan was fouled by Princess Marfo. Ines Konan converted the penalty following a VAR check, giving the Lady Elephants a quick lead.
Ghana appeared to level the score early in the second half with a goal from Stella Nyamekye. However, referee Akhona Makalima disallowed the goal, ruling that Evelyn Badu had interfered with Ivorian goalkeeper Oceane Konan.
The Black Queens equalized in the 59th minute when Marfo scored with a header from a corner kick to redeem herself. They took the lead in the 72nd minute when Josephine Bonsu converted another penalty after VAR confirmed a handball by Ivory Coast defender Aboa Yapo.
Ghana’s victory came amid ongoing concerns regarding players and officials awaiting multiple payments, including bonuses for Wafcon qualification, group-stage bonuses, and per diem allowances. The Ghanaian Ministry of Sports and Recreation contested some claims, with Minister Kofi Adams stating that per diem payments had already been made, and confirming that processing for the win bonus was underway. The Ministry also clarified that qualifying for Wafcon does not result in a separate bonus payment.
Nigeria have failed to qualify for the Fifa Women’s World Cup for the first time after the Super Falcons were beaten 2-1 by South Africa in an African play-off at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon).
Africa’s top-ranked team went into the tournament in Morocco as favourites to retain their title but were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Cameroon, having already lost to Malawi in the group stage.
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With the four semi-finalists guaranteed a spot at next year’s World Cup, Justin Madugu’s side had one more chance to keep alive their hopes reaching Brazil, with the winner of their one-off tie in Casablanca entering an inter-confederation qualifier.
But second-half goals from Thembi Kgatlana and Refiloe Jane were enough to give Banyana Banyana victory, despite unexpected late drama when Jane was sent off for handling the ball inside her own six-yard box.
Christy Ucheibe slotted home the penalty in the 93rd minute to set up a grandstand finish, and there was even time for goalkeeper Kaylin Swart, South Africa’s hero, to save brilliantly with her feet to deny Michelle Alozie in the last minute.
The 2022 Wafcon champions join Ghana in Fifa’s inter-confederation qualifier after the Black Queens came from behind to beat Ivory Coast 2-1 earlier on Thursday.
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Black Queens through despite pay dispute
In the earlier game in Casablanca, Ivory Coast were awarded a penalty after just 44 seconds when Bernadette Kakounan was clipped by Princess Marfo.
After a VAR check, Ines Konan converted to give the Lady Elephants a fourth-minute lead despite Ghana keeper Cynthia Konlan getting a hand to the ball.
The Black Queens thought they had equalised early in the second half when Stella Nyamekye stabbed in but South African referee Akhona Makalima adjudged that Evelyn Badu had kicked the ball out of the hands of Ivorian keeper Oceane Konan moments before.
Ghana did level in the 59th minute, with Marfo heading in from a corner to make amends for her earlier challenge, and the turnaround was complete when Josephine Bonsu scored from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute after VAR had again intervened.
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Grace Asantewaa’s fierce strike clearly hit the right arm of Ivory Coast defender Aboa Yapo just inside the area, but it took some deliberation and a trip to the pitch-side monitor before Makalima awarded the foul.
Ghana’s victory came a day after the Black Queens squad had issued a statement claiming players and officials were awaiting several payments including Wafcon qualification bonuses, group-stage bonuses and per diem allowances.
Ghana’s Ministry of Sports and Recreation challenged aspects of the allegations, with sports minister Kofi Adams insisting that per diem payments had already been settled.
A statement from a Ministry official added that the squad’s win bonus from their group stage win over Cape Verde was being processed, and said that the Black Queens qualifying for Wafcon “does not attract a separate bonus”.
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