Super Falcons Miss World Cup for First Time Since 1991

Nigeria’s Super Falcons will not participate in the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time since its inception in 1991, following a 2-1 loss to South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in a playoff match held in Casablanca. The Super Falcons, under the coaching of Justin Madugu, had previously lost to Cameroon in the quarterfinals of the 2026 WAFCON.

In the playoff match, the first half ended goalless, but Thembi Kgatlana scored for Banyana Banyana in the 56th minute. Despite a penalty conversion by Christy Ucheibe that gave Nigeria a glimmer of hope, a last-minute opportunity by Alozie was thwarted by goalkeeper Kaylin Christen Swart, sealing Nigeria's fate.

This defeat marks a significant decline from their performance at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia.