WAFCON 2026 World Cup Qualification: Nigeria miss out as Ghana and South Africa advance
Nigeria will not feature at Women's World Cup for the first time in two decades after losing 2-1 to South Africa, while Ghana edged past Ivory Coast.
Nigeria have failed to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup after losing their World Cup qualification play-off match against South Africa, who join Ghana in advancing to the inter-confederation play-offs.
The four losing quarter-finalists at WAFCON 2026 were in action on Thursday in Casablanca as they battled for the two World Cup qualification inter-confederation play-off spots.
Ivory Coast 1-2 Ghana
Ghana kept their hopes of reaching a first Women’s World Cup in two decades alive with a comeback win over the Ivory Coast, whose only appearance on the biggest stage was back in 2015.
The Elephants put themselves in the driver’s seat within a minute, winning a penalty as captain Bernadette Amani was brought down by Ghanaian winger Princess Marfo. Cynthia Konlan got a hand to Inès Konan’s effort, but couldn’t keep it out.
What followed was by no means a high-quality exhibition of football. Neither side managed to keep the ball for long spells and the Ivorian block was solid enough to limit the threat they faced. As has been the pattern throughout this year’s WAFCON, both sides found occasional joy down their respective right wings.
The game became particularly choppy in the second half due to injuries and VAR interruptions. Ghana managed to equalise in the 58th minute despite being momentarily down to 10, as Marfo redeemed herself by heading home from a corner.
The Black Queens then benefitted from a review as Aboa Yapo was adjudged to have blocked a shot using her hand. Josephine Bonsu stepped up and emphatically converted to put her side in front with 72 minutes on the clock.
In the absence of suspended star striker N’Sira Safi, Ivory Coast lacked sharpness in the final third and their search for an equaliser proved unsuccessful, as Ghana bunkered in and held on to their slender lead.
South Africa 2-1 Nigeria
South Africa and Nigeria both would have expected to qualify for the Women’s World Cup at minimum via this year’s WAFCON. And yet, both found themselves in the last chance saloon against one another in the second play-off match, already guaranteeing at least one major African absentee in Brazil.
Nigeria adopted a more reserved approach from the off, staying compact out of possession and allowing their opponents to keep the ball. The Super Falcons’ intention seemed to be to pose more of a threat on the break, but the result was a very cagey and low-event first period. Both sides combined to produce just one shot on target, with neither keeper feeling really threatened at any point.
There was a lot more goalmouth action right after half-time. Nigeria had the first big chance when the ball broke to Asisat Oshoala’s feet just outside the six-yard box, but she couldn’t get a shot away. Dealing with an injury concern since the last group game, the superstar striker was brought off soon thereafter.
South Africa struck seconds after the substitution. Hildah Magaia raced away on a break and showed excellent composure to square it to Thembi Kgatlana, who slotted home.
Banyana Banyana dropped deeper after scoring to hold on to their lead. Nigeria’s Uchenna Kanu came closest to equalising in the 75th minute, but her header was kept out by an excellent Kaylin Swart save.
Moments later, South Africa doubled their lead from a corner. The ball broke to the feet of captain Refiloe Jane on the edge of the box, whose shot on goal took a deflection in the crowd and went past the helpless Chiamaka Nnadozie.
The Super Falcons got a couple of big chances thereafter but just couldn’t apply the all-important finishing touch. They finally halved the deficit when presented with a golden opportunity from the penalty spot in stoppage time.
The last few minutes were made all the more dramatic by the fact that South Africa were down to 10 players, with Jane having picked up a second yellow card for the handball that led to the penalty. Swart was called into action once to deny Michelle Alozie from close range, sealing the win with a huge stop.
As a result, Nigeria will miss the Women’s World Cup for the first time in its 10th edition, dropping out of an exclusive club of perennial participants that now shrinks to six.
Looking ahead: Inter-confederation play-offs
Ghana and South Africa still have a long way to go before they reach the World Cup. First, they will enter the preliminary phase of the inter-confederation play-offs at the end of this year, which will be held in an abbreviated league-like format. Six teams will play three games each, with the top two advancing to the final phase – a straight knockout match in February.
For the moment, all attention will turn back to Rabat. The Olympic Stadium will host Saturday’s third-place play-off between North African rivals Morocco and Algeria, but the big one is on Sunday night as Malawi take on Cameroon to crown a new WAFCON champion on Sunday.
All stats sourced from Scoresway
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