Banyana Banyana beat Nigeria to keep Brazil 2027 World Cup hopes alive

Banyana Banyana revived their hopes of reaching the 2027 Women’s World Cup with a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in a play-off match in Casablanca on Thursday.

The result at Stade Moulay Rachid earned South Africa one of the Confederation of African Football’s two places in the intercontinental play-offs, although they still face a complicated route to next year’s tournament in Brazil.

The play-offs will be staged across two phases. The first will take place in November and December, when six teams will compete for two qualification places. The group will consist of two sides from Africa, two from Asia, one from Oceania and one from South America.

Those two successful teams will return for the second phase in February next year, joining four nations who have received byes. The four are made up of two teams from Concacaf, one from Europe and one from South America. Three World Cup places will be available in that final stage.

South Africa were forced to see out the closing moments with 10 players after captain Refiloe Jane was sent off two minutes into stoppage time. Jane, making her 155th appearance for the national team, was dismissed after a handball in the penalty area was reviewed by VAR.

Christy Ucheibe converted the resulting penalty in the 93rd minute, reducing the deficit after Thembi Kgatlana had put Banyana Banyana ahead and Jane had extended their advantage.

The atmosphere before kick-off appeared to favour Nigeria. Afrobeats, the music genre strongly associated with the West African country and a rival to South Africa’s Amapiano, was played loudly while both teams warmed up.

There were no visible supporters wearing South African colours, while Nigeria had a strong presence in the stands. The Super Falcons’ fans continually encouraged their team when they had possession and jeered Banyana Banyana, while also expressing their displeasure whenever match officials made decisions against Nigeria.

They even turned one of South Africa’s most recognisable stadium traditions against them by blowing vuvuzelas.

Despite effectively playing in front of an opposition crowd, South Africa remained composed and produced one of their strongest first-half performances of the tournament. Banyana Banyana had been eliminated by the hosts in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after a disappointing campaign, but there were signs in Casablanca of the passing football that has long been associated with the team.

Their short combinations in tight areas created several promising moves, although a lack of composure in the final third prevented them from scoring before half-time. Most of those opportunities were half-chances, but Amogelang Motau and Jane controlled the midfield duels and allowed South Africa to dictate the tempo.

Nigeria returned from the interval with greater urgency and began to apply sustained pressure. Jennifer Echegini had the first clear opening of the second half, but hesitation inside the penalty area allowed South Africa goalkeeper Kaylin Swart to take the ball from her feet.

Bambanani Mbane and the rest of the Banyana Banyana defence then threw themselves in front of a series of Nigeria attempts as the Super Falcons pressed for the opening goal.

Instead, South Africa struck in the 56th minute. Ronnel Donnelley recovered possession near the centre circle before releasing Hildah Magaia, whose cutback found Kgatlana. The forward finished calmly to score her 37th goal for South Africa.

Swart then produced an outstanding save in the 75th minute to keep out a powerful header from Uchenna Kanu that appeared certain to find the net.

Two minutes later, Banyana Banyana doubled their lead. Karabo Dhlamini delivered a superb corner and Jane’s low effort deflected off Ucheibe, wrong-footing Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

Ucheibe’s late penalty gave Nigeria hope, but South Africa held on to secure their place in the intercontinental play-offs and keep their path to Brazil 2027 open.