South Africa Beat Nigeria 2-1 to Keep 2027 Women’s World Cup Dream Alive

South Africa’s Banyana Banyana have defeated Nigeria’s Super Falcons 2-1 in a crucial 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup play-off in Casablanca, Morocco.

Thembi Kgatlana opened the scoring for South Africa in the 56th minute before Refiloe Jane doubled their advantage in the 77th minute.

Nigeria responded late through Christy Ucheibe, who pulled one back in stoppage time, but Banyana Banyana held on to secure a vital 2-1 victory.

The result keeps South Africa’s hopes of reaching the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup alive, while Nigeria’s defeat ends the Super Falcons’ hopes of qualifying through this route.

The victory sends Banyana Banyana into the next stage of the inter-confederation play-off pathway, where they will continue their fight for a place at the tournament in Brazil.

For Nigeria, the defeat is a major setback, with the Super Falcons now facing the prospect of missing their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup after previously qualifying for every edition.