Nigeria have missed out on qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup after suffering a 2-1 defeat to South Africa in a qualification playoff in Casablanca.

The Super Falcons, who were eliminated from the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, were beaten by Banyana Banyana in a closely contested encounter that ended their hopes of securing one of the remaining World Cup tickets.

Nigeria mounted a late fightback and scored in the 93rd minute, but the goal came too late to prevent the Super Falcons from suffering defeat.

The victory sends South Africa into the intercontinental playoff, where they will now battle for a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Nigeria’s defeat means the Super Falcons, one of Africa’s most successful women’s national teams, will miss out on the global tournament for the first time since 1991.