Nigeria’s Super Falcons will face South Africa’s Banyana Banyana on Thursday in a crucial play-off for a place in the FIFA Women’s World Cup intercontinental play-offs.
The two African giants were forced into the fixture after suffering quarter-final defeats at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria, the 10-time African champions, lost 1-0 to Cameroon, while defending champions South Africa were beaten by hosts Morocco. The defeats denied both teams automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The winners of Thursday’s encounter will advance to the intercontinental play-off tournament, where three remaining World Cup qualification spots will be contested.
The match also renews a fierce rivalry between two of Africa’s most successful women’s national teams. Nigeria have won 15 of their more than 23 meetings across competitive and friendly matches.
However, South Africa have narrowed the gap in recent years, defeating Nigeria 2-1 in the group stage of the 2022 WAFCON before going on to win their first continental title.
Nigeria later gained revenge by edging Banyana Banyana in a two-legged qualification play-off for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Super Falcons coach Justin Madugu admitted that Nigeria must continue improving despite their status as one of Africa’s traditional powerhouses.
“Nothing is permanent. Everybody is investing so much and ensuring that they improve, so reality should dawn on us,” Madugu said.
“We need to also understand that just because everybody is playing well now, we must also do a lot to try and ensure that we not only remain where we are but also try as much as possible to keep improving at all times.”
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade urged her teammates to put the Cameroon defeat behind them and focus on the opportunity ahead.
“What has happened has happened. There is nothing we can do about that. We cannot control it anymore. It is all about putting ourselves together and getting the loss behind us,” Ajibade said.
“Sometimes champions are defined in the face of adversities. We just have to go back and prepare better.”
Forward Uchenna Kanu revealed that the disappointment from the quarter-final defeat had affected several players, with some struggling to eat after the match.
She, however, insisted that the squad had moved on and was focused on securing victory against South Africa.
“We would take it as a lesson learned, and we build with it, and we look forward to putting everything right on Thursday, leaving everything on the field on Thursday against South Africa,” Kanu said.
Thursday’s decisive encounter will kick off at 9pm Nigerian time, with the winner moving one step closer to securing a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
