BUMPY ROAD: Banyana, Nigeria clash in crucial World Cup qualifier after Wafcon disappointment
After a quarterfinal exit on the back of defeat to 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations host nation Morocco, Banyana Banyana have a second chance to try and reach the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil. This journey starts with a one-off clash against Nigeria tonight at 10pm.
In the wake of a quarterfinal exit following a 2-1 loss to Morocco at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), South Africa's national women's soccer team, Banyana Banyana, have been given a second chance to pursue the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The opportunity comes in the form of a one-off encounter against Nigeria tonight at 10pm.
The South Africans' World Cup qualification hopes are now hanging by a thread, after their elimination from the knockout stages, but they have a chance to advance through the lengthy playoff route.
Banyana Banyana will face Nigeria in a crucial match, as both teams struggle to secure their places in the World Cup. The Super Falcons, the record Wafcon winners, also suffered an early exit when they lost 1-0 to Cameroon in their quarterfinal clash. The other two teams vying for World Cup qualification via the secondary route are Ivory Coast and Ghana.
After these two one-off matches in Morocco on Thursday, 13 August, the remaining teams will participate in an intercontinental playoff tournament featuring 10 teams competing for three spots.
Morocco, Algeria, Malawi, and Cameroon have secured their automatic spots at the 2027 World Cup, as have the two previous tournament winners, Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea. Banyana Banyana's technical team faced allegations of division in the camp before their quarterfinal exit, but the team must put aside those reported differences and focus on their upcoming match against Nigeria.
Coach Desiree Ellis emphasized the need for her team to bring their best effort and not let the disappointment of their loss to Morocco affect their performance in the crucial qualifier.
Captain Refiloe Jane and forward Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado echoed Ellis' sentiments, stressing the importance of reflecting on their strengths and weaknesses and proving they are capable of beating Nigeria. The team acknowledges that their journey to the World Cup will not be easy, but they are determined to give their all in representing South Africa and are ready for the challenge ahead.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
