Nigeria’s Super Falcons will miss the Women’s World Cup for the first time since the tournament began, after South Africa beat them 2-1 in their play-off in Casablanca.
South Africa took the lead in the 56th minute through a Banyana Banyana goal, and doubled their advantage in the 77th minute to lead 2-0. Nigeria pulled a goal back late through Ucheibe in the 93rd minute, converting a penalty awarded after a South African player was sent off for handball. But it was not enough, and the match ended 2-1 to South Africa.
The first half was goalless, with goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie making a key save in the 60th minute to keep Nigeria in the game before South Africa broke the deadlock. South Africa now join Ghana, who earlier defeated Côte d’Ivoire, in claiming one of the two intercontinental play-off tickets reserved for beaten WAFCON quarter-finalists.
