Nigeria have failed to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup for the first time after losing 2-1 to South Africa in a Wafcon play-off. The result ends the Super Falcons’ record of appearing at every previous Women’s World Cup and leaves South Africa still needing to progress through an inter-confederation qualifying tournament to reach Brazil.

South Africa scored through Thembi Kgatlana in the 56th minute and captain Refiloe Jane in the 77th, before Jane was sent off for a handball that led to Christy Ucheibe’s 93rd-minute penalty. Nigeria pressed for an equaliser, but goalkeeper Kaylin Swart made a decisive late save from Michelle Alozie; Ghana also reached the inter-confederation qualifier after beating Ivory Coast 2-1.