Tonight, the Super Falcons have a second chance of playing at next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil when they take on Banyana Banyana of South Africa in a Play-in.
Both teams lost out in the quarterfinal of the 2026 WAFCON, but could still qualify for the 2027 World Cup beginning with tonight’s clash in Casablanca.
Victory tonight will earn Nigeria a place in an Intercontinental Playoff in December.
If the records are anything to go by, the Super Falcons will extend their dominance over their South African counterparts.
They have won 18, lost four and drawn four of their meetings with Banyana Banyana.
In July 2025 in the semifinal of the delayed 2024 WAFCON, the Super Falcons again triumphed 2-1 with goals from skipper Rasheedat Ajibade and Michele Alozie.
However, the 10-time African champions have struggled to impress at this year’s WAFCON no thanks to a suspect defense that got coach Justine Madugu to admit has been conceding “very, very unnecessary” goals.
The once reliable goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has been far from her best, while the pillar in the back four Osinachi Ohale at 34 is now showing signs of worse for wear.
The firepower of the Super Falcons led by Uchenna Kanu should still be enough to get them past the South Africans and keep alive their hopes of qualifying for Brazil 2027.
