Nigeria’s historic Women’s World Cup run has come to an end, with South Africa beating the perennial African champions 2-1 on Thursday to secure a place in the intercontinental play-offs and end Nigeria’s record of qualifying for every edition since the tournament began.
Nigeria have won the WAFCON 10 times. Photo: X@NGSuper_Falcons
The Super Falcons of Nigeria won’t be at the 2027 World Cup! That’s because the defending Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) champions fell to South Africa in the continent’s play-off for the tournament.
Nigeria lost to Cameroon in the quarter-finals of the 2026 WAFCON and got a lifeline via the play-off. However, on Thursday, it was South Africa who had the better of the match, defeating the perennial champions 2-1 to get one of the continent’s tickets to the intercontinental playoffs.
It would be the first time Nigeria would not be at the World Cup since the inception of the tournament in 1991.
Meanwhile, Cameroon will face giant-killer Malawi in the final of the WAFCON after defeating hosts Morocco 3-1 on penalties following a 0-0 draw after extra time.
Malawi are ranked 153rd in the world, 116 places below the pre-WAFCON favourites and record 10-time champions Nigeria, who bowed out in the quarter-finals.
Apart from Nigeria, the only other countries to become WAFCON champions since its debut in 1998 were Equatorial Guinea twice and South Africa once.
