Thembi Kgatlana scored two goals at the 2023 Women's World Cup and netted again in Casablanca to keep alive South Africa's hopes of returning to the tournament

🌐 Here's What Happened

Nigeria have failed to qualify for the Fifa Women's World Cup for the first time after the Super Falcons were beaten 2-1 by South Africa in a play-off at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon).

The continent's top-ranked team went into the tournament in Morocco as favourites to retain their title but were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Cameroon, having already lost to Malawi in the group stage.

With the four semi-finalists guaranteed a spot at next year's World Cup, Justin Madugu's side had one more chance to keep alive their hopes of reaching Brazil, with the winner of their one-off tie in Casablanca entering an inter-confederation qualifier.

📌 Key Details

But second-half goals from Thembi Kgatlana and Refiloe Jane were enough to give Banyana Banyana victory, despite unexpected late drama when Jane was sent off for handling the ball inside her own six-yard box.

Christy Ucheibe slotted home the penalty in the 93rd minute to set up a grandstand finish, and there was even time for goalkeeper Kaylin Swart, South Africa's hero, to save brilliantly with her feet to deny Michelle Alozie with almost the last kick of the game.

The 2022 Wafcon champions join Ghana in Fifa's inter-confederation qualifier after the Black Queens came from behind to beat Ivory Coast 2-1 earlier on Thursday.

Nigeria have appeared at all nine Women's World Cups since the first was held in China in 1991.

Missing out is unlikely to go down well in a country where football fans are used to their team dominating, with the Super Falcons having won Wafcon a record 10 times.

But seeing off Desiree Ellis' well-drilled Banyana team was never likely to be easy.

📰 Source: BBC Africa