Nigeria To Miss Women’s World Cup For First Time Since 1991

Nigeria’s Super Falcons will miss the Women’s World Cup for the first time since the tournament began in 1991 after losing 2-1 to South Africa in a play-off match.

The defeat in Casablanca ended Nigeria’s run of appearing at every edition of the Women’s World Cup. Premium Times reported that South Africa’s Banyana Banyana advanced to FIFA’s Inter-Confederation Play-Off Tournament alongside Ghana’s Black Queens.

South Africa took control after a goalless first half. Thembi Kgatlana scored in the 56th minute, and Refiloe Jane doubled the lead in the 77th minute. Daily Post reported that Christy Ucheibe scored Nigeria’s consolation goal from the penalty spot.

The loss followed Nigeria’s earlier WAFCON quarter-final exit against Cameroon, leaving Justin Madugu’s side with a narrow route through the play-off round. South Africa took that route instead.

Daily Post reported that some Nigerian supporters criticised the team’s performance and called for changes after the result. The reaction followed a year in which expectations around the team remained high because of its long record in continental and global women’s football.

The result also means Nigeria will not be part of the next Women’s World Cup in Brazil, a sharp break from more than three decades of uninterrupted qualification.

Sources: Premium Times, Daily Post