*S’Africa defeated Nigeria 2-1 to join Ghana as Africa’s reps for next year’s intercontinental playoffs
Duro Ikhazuagbe
For the first time since the inaugural edition in China in 1991, Nigeria’s Super Falcons will not be present at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil next year.
After the Super Falcons lost to Cameroon in the quarterfinal of the 2026 WAFCON in Casablanca last Sunday and were given a second chance via the playoff, Nigeria again lost 2-1 to South Africa’s Banyana Banyana last night to put an end to their dream of playing at the Mundial in Brazil.
For a fact, Super Falcons were poor against the Banyana Banyana. The form displayed by Justin Madugu coached ladies was the poorest ever seen in any Nigerian senior women’s football team.
The Super Falcons were simply a different bunch from the team that serenaded the football world at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia.
After a goalless first half during which both teams push for an opening goal without success, Banyana Banyana with more of the ball possession finally went in front in the 56th minute through poster girl Thembi Kgatlana.
She profited from a quick counter to fire past goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Almost immediately, Kgatlana came close to doubling the lead but this time Nnadozie was alert to keep out the danger.
Player of the Match, South Africa’s goalkeeper, Kaylin Christen Swart, played a major role in Banyana’s successful defeat of their bitter rivals. In the 75th minute, she denied Uchenna Kanu when she turned away for a corner her goal-bound header from inside the box.
Two minutes later, South Africa got their second goal, a deflected effort off substitute…
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