South Africa and Ghana Secure Intercontinental Playoff Spots; Nigeria and Ivory Coast Eliminated

South Africa and Ghana secured Africa's two FIFA intercontinental playoff spots after overcoming Nigeria and Ivory Coast in the playoff round, keeping alive their hopes of reaching the 2027 Women's World Cup.

The 2-1 defeat to South Africa late Thursday confirmed Nigeria's Super Falcons will miss the Women's World Cup for the first time since the tournament began in 1991.

Meanwhile, Ghana came from behind to beat Ivory Coast 2-1. The four quarterfinal losers at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) were paired together to determine the two teams advancing to the World Cup intercontinental playoffs.

The four WAFCON semifinalists — Cameroon, Malawi, Morocco, and Algeria — have already qualified directly for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil. Cameroon and debutants Malawi will contest the WAFCON final on Sunday.

South Africa Holds Off Nigeria

South Africa showed patience against Nigeria, and the breakthrough came in the 56th minute when Ronnel Donnelly's assist set up Hildah Magaia to find Thembi Kgatlana, who scored the opener.

Captain Refiloe Jane appeared to seal the win with a deflected strike in the 77th minute, but she received a second yellow card in stoppage time for handling the ball on the goal line. Christy Ucheibe converted the resulting penalty to cut the deficit to 1-2, setting up a tense finale.

South African goalkeeper Kaylin Swart made a crucial save with her foot to deny Michelle Alozie's effort in the final seconds, preserving the victory for her side.

Ghana Prevails; Ivory Coast's Wait Continues

The defeat means Ivory Coast misses out on a second Women's World Cup appearance after their debut in 2015. Ghana, meanwhile, still harbor hopes of reaching their fourth World Cup and first since 2007.

Ghana got off to a poor start when Princess Marfo was penalized in the box in the first minute after a challenge with Ivory Coast captain Bernadette Amani. Ines Konan kept her composure and converted the penalty after a three-minute VAR review, putting Ivory Coast ahead.

Ghana thought they had equalized early in the second half when goalkeeper Oceane Lamfir dropped the ball and Evelyn Badu set up Stella Nyamekye to slot into an empty net, but the goal was disallowed as VAR determined Lamfir still had control of the ball.

Princess Marfo then equalized with a header in the 59th minute. In the 72nd minute, Josephine Bonsu converted a penalty after Aboa Yapo was adjudged to have handled the ball — again following a VAR check — when Grace Asantewaa's shot struck her arm.

In the early stage of the 2027 Women's World Cup intercontinental playoffs, two African teams and two Asian teams will compete alongside one Oceanian team and one South American team at a centralized venue in November and December. The top two teams from this round advance to a second stage in February 2027, where they will face one European team, one South American team, and two CONCACAF teams to determine the final three spots at the World Cup.