South Africa Knocks Nigeria Out of Women's World Cup Contention While Ghana Triumphs Over Ivory Coast

South Africa's Thembi Kgatlana scored the opening goal in the win against Nigeria. South Africa and Ghana secured Africa’s final two spots in FIFA’s Intercontinental Playoffs following crucial victories over Nigeria and Ivory Coast, keeping their 2027 Women’s World Cup dreams alive.

Nigeria’s 2-1 defeat against South Africa means the Super Falcons will miss the World Cup for the first time since the tournament’s inception in 1991. Meanwhile, Ghana mounted a comeback to defeat Ivory Coast 2-1 as the four defeated quarterfinalists at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations competed to see who would advance to the intercontinental playoffs.

The four semifinalists—Cameroon, Malawi, Morocco, and Algeria—have already secured direct qualification for next year’s tournament in Brazil. Cameroon and tournament debutant Malawi are set to face each other in the WAFCON final on Sunday.

Banyana Banyana Hold On Against Super Falcons

South Africa had to exercise patience against Nigeria until a moment of brilliance from Ronnel Donnelly allowed her to send Hildah Magaia through, who squared the ball for Thembi Kgatlana to score in the 56th minute. Team captain Refiloe Jane appeared to secure the victory when she scored from a deflected shot in the 77th minute.

However, Jane received a red card after her second yellow card during stoppage time for using her arm to stop a goalward shot. Christy Ucheibe converted the resulting penalty, setting up a tense finish. South Africa goalkeeper Kaylin Swart ultimately stretched out her left boot to deny Michelle Alozie an equalizer in the dying moments.

Ghana's Win Keeps Ivory Coast Waiting

Defeat for Ivory Coast means the team continues to wait for its second World Cup appearance since 2015, while Ghana maintains hopes of a fourth tournament participation and first since 2007.

The Black Queens endured a difficult start when Princess Marfo was penalized for an apparent foul on Ivorian captain Bernadette Amani inside the penalty area during the opening minute. Ines Konan kept her composure despite a three-minute VAR check delay and successfully converted the penalty to put Ivory Coast ahead.

Ghana thought they had equalized early in the second half when goalkeeper Oceane Lamfir mishandled a cross, allowing Evelyn Badu to square the loose ball to Stella Nyamekye, who fired into the open net. However, the goal was disallowed following a VAR review that determined Lamfir still maintained control of the ball.

Princess Marfo eventually headed in the equalizer before the hour mark, and Josephine Bonsu secured the winning goal for the Black Queens from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute after Aboa Yapo was penalized for a handball—confirmed by VAR—when Grace Asantewaa’s shot struck her arm.

Two teams from Africa and two from Asia will compete alongside one each from Oceania and South America during the first phase of the World Cup intercontinental playoffs at a centralized venue in November and December. The top two teams from that group of six will advance to the second phase in February 2027, where they will face opponents from Europe, South America, and two from the CONCACAF region to determine the final three qualifiers for the tournament.