The Super Falcons of Nigeria have resumed training ahead of their crucial Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) play-off against South Africa, with the team shifting attention to securing a route to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup after their quarter-final elimination.
Nigeria’s hopes of defending their continental title were dented on Sunday when the Falcons suffered a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in the quarter-finals, ending their hopes of reaching the last four.
The defeat also denied Nigeria automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, as CAF’s qualification format grants direct World Cup tickets to the four WAFCON semi-finalists.
However, the Falcons remain in contention for a place at the global tournament through the play-off route.
The Nigerian team has therefore quickly put the disappointment behind it and returned to training as preparations intensify for the decisive encounter with South Africa.
The Super Falcons will face the Banyana Banyana on Thursday, August 13, 2026, in Casablanca, Morocco, in one of the play-off matches involving the teams that lost in the WAFCON quarter-finals.
CAF had earlier confirmed that the quarter-final losers would contest play-off matches on August 13 for the remaining opportunities to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The encounter gives Nigeria another opportunity to keep its World Cup dream alive after falling short against Cameroon.
South Africa, the defending WAFCON champions, also suffered a quarter-final setback and will now have to overcome Nigeria to remain in contention for a place at the global showpiece.
The Falcons will be hoping to draw lessons from their defeat to Cameroon and produce a stronger performance against the South Africans, who remain one of the continent’s leading women’s football sides.
Nigeria entered the tournament as defending champions and among the favourites for the title after winning a record-extending 10th WAFCON crown at the previous edition. The 2026 tournament, however, has presented a more difficult challenge, with the competition expanded to 16 teams.
The 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be hosted by Brazil from June 24 to July 25, 2027. FIFA has confirmed that Africa will have four direct qualification slots, while additional African teams can still reach the intercontinental play-off route through the WAFCON play-offs.
With the continental title now out of reach, the Super Falcons’ immediate priority is securing another opportunity to represent Africa at the World Cup.
The players are expected to approach Thursday’s encounter with renewed determination as Nigeria seeks to overcome the setback against Cameroon and keep its World Cup qualification hopes alive.
