South Africa end Nigeria’s Women’s World Cup hope, Ghana beat Ivory Coast

South Africa and Ghana clinched Africa’s two spots in FIFA’s Intercontinental Playoffs with wins over Nigeria and Ivory Coast to keep alive their dreams of reaching the 2027 Women’s World Cup.

Nigeria’s 2-1 loss to South Africa late on Thursday means the Super Falcons will miss the World Cup for the first time since the tournament’s inauguration in 1991.

Ghana came from behind to beat Ivory Coast 2-1 as the four beaten quarterfinalists at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations were pitted against each other to decide which two progress to the World Cup intercontinental playoffs.

The four semifinalists – Cameroon, Malawi, Morocco and Algeria – have all qualified directly for next year’s tournament in Brazil. Cameroon and tournament debutant Malawi will contest the WAFCON final on Sunday.

South Africa needed patience against Nigeria until a moment of brilliance from Ronnel Donnelly sent Hildah Magaia through to square the ball for Thembi Kgatlana to score in the 56th.

Team captain Refiloe Jane seemed to seal the result when she scored with a deflected shot in the 77th. However, she was sent off with her second yellow card in stoppage time for stopping a goalward shot with her arm.

Christy Ucheibe scored the resultant penalty to set up a tense finale. South Africa goalkeeper Kaylin Swart stretched out her left boot to deny Michelle Alozie an equaliser at the end.

Defeat for Ivory Coast means missing out on what would have been its second World Cup appearance after 2015, while Ghana can maintain its hope of a fourth participation and first since 2007.