Happening Now: It’s 9pm on Thursday, 13th August, 2026…CAF’s World Cup qualifying playoff match between Nigeria and South Africa Kicks off in Casablanca, Morocco.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons and South Africa’s Banyana Banyana have started the CAF African playoff match, that could land either of them a FIFA World Cup qualifying ticket for the final qualifying playoffs for the mundial.

Nigeria and South Africa failed to pick automatic tickets for the FIFA Women’s World Cup at the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup Of Nations (WAFCON), hence the need for both teams to slug it out for the only playoff ticket available for the continent on Thursday, 13th August, 2026.

History: South Africa and Nigeria are two of the only three nations to ever win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations since the tournament’s inception in 1998.

Banyana Banyana, who were winners in 2022 and the Super Falcons of Nigeria – the most decorated team in African Football, find themselves on the fringes of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 in Morocco after the quarterfinals.

In an unprecedented turn of events, the two teams tread unchartered territory where they must now fight for a single slot amongst themselves to keep their hopes for qualification to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil alive.

1-7′ Match Kicks off, with South Africa taking the ball into Nigeria’s half but the Falcons survived the early incursions.

10-16′ Nigeria responds with two quick front balls but failed to beat Banyana Banyana goalkeeper who gathered perfectly

22′ South Africa 0-0 Nigeria It has now become a ding dong affair and with players of both sides playing under an intense pressure.

33-40′ Two free kicks each from South Africa and Nigeria, the ball well placed at strategic positions but came to nothing at both ends.

44′ South Africa 0-0 Nigeria…Francisca Ordega, after surviving a foul play by a South African defender; appears to do a retaliatory mission, but earned the Banyana Banyana a free kick near the area, still came to nothing.

Half Time South Africa 0-0 Nigeria.

46′ The second half is underway…
South Africa 0-0 Nigeria.

50′ South Africa 0-0 Nigeria; A scary volley into Falcons’ goal area, off target.

56′ GOAL… Thembi Kgatlana scores to put South Africa in front… poor defending by the Falcons gifts Banyana Banyana a deserved lead, South Africa 1-0 Nigeria.

77′ Second GOAL for South Africa; Nigeria is losing the required steam as Jane doubles the lead.
South Africa 2-0 Nigeria.

Full Time: South Africa 2-1 the Super Falcons managed to reduce the tally to 2-1 but it’s not enough as Nigeria bids good bye to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Banyana Banyana are through to the next round of playoffs in Europe.