Super Falcons target World Cup play-off spot against  South Africa

Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu has vowed that Nigeria will seize its second opportunity to secure a pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup when the team faces South Africa in a crucial WAFCON play-in fixture on Thursday.

The 10-time African champions missed out on automatic qualification for the global tournament after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria must now overcome reigning African champions South Africa to advance to the inter-confederation play-offs and keep its World Cup qualification hopes alive.

The decisive encounter is scheduled to take place at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco, with Madugu insisting that his players are determined to make the most of the opportunity.

“We have a second chance. We have this second opportunity. We are still going to do the best that we can. We’re not leaving anything out,” Madugu said.

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“We’re going to put in all our best to make sure that we put smiles on the faces of our people because we know what it means to all of us as Nigerians,” he added.

The Super Falcons’ defeat to Cameroon ended their hopes of securing one of the automatic World Cup qualification places available through the tournament.

However, victory over South Africa would revive Nigeria’s hopes and move the team closer to securing a place at the 2027 tournament.

South Africa, led by experienced coach Desiree Ellis, will also be determined to claim the crucial play-off position, setting up another high-profile encounter between two of Africa’s leading women’s football nations.

Nigeria will rely on its experience and history in continental football as it seeks to bounce back from the disappointment against Cameroon.

Meanwhile, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire will meet in the other play-in fixture at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca later on Thursday.

The winners of the two play-in matches will continue their respective campaigns for qualification through the inter-confederation play-offs for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.