Thembi Kgatlana and Refiloe Jane were on target for Banyana Banyana as they defeated Nigeria 2-1 to qualify for the inter-confederation 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers to be held in November.
Banyana and the outgoing African champions played at the Moulay Rachid Stadium on Thursday after they were both eliminated from the on-going WAFCON tournament at the quarter-final stage and missed the automatic qualification spots.
There was an early long range shot from Karabo Dhlamini in the opening five minutes but it went into straight into the keeper’s hands. Uchenna Kanu could have scored for Nigeria soon after with a header but the ball landed in Kaylin Swart’s hands.
There were two chances from Linda Motlhalo first from a Ronnel Donnelly pass but she shot over the bar the same result as with her second attempt late in the first half. Bongeka Gamede also shot a free-kick over the bar after Banyana won the set-piece benefiting from a foul against Motlhalo.
There was a dangerous ball from the Super Falcons after a good build up in the 11th minute but South African defence intercepted the run, and the ball fell for the Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade who took a shot that it’s deflected for a corner. Michelle Alozie also missed the target by an inch five minutes to the break.
Nigeria picked up where they left off in the second half with Asisat Oshoala testing Swart from inside the box after but the latter made a save. It was Oshoala who was a threat again in the 50th minute but the ball was saved on the goal line.
It was Banyana who broke the deadlock in the 57th minute from good a play involving Donnelly and Hilda Magaia who set up Kgatlana to do damage. Kgatlana could have doubled the lead three minutes from that but her effort was saved.
Nigeria almost equalised in the 75th minute but Swart pulled a super save to deny Kanu. The 10-time African champions regretted the missed chance and were punished by Jane in the 77th minute as she sealed victory for Banyana.
There was late drama in the game after Jane saved a Nigeria attempt with her hand on line, receiving a second yellow card and Nigeria a penalty, which Christy Ucheibe converted from the spot.
Banyana join Ghana who defeated Ivory Coast as the African representatives at the inter-confederation playoff meeting four other teams from other confederations.