Nigeria Super Falcons are scheduled to face their historic rivals South Africa Banyana Banyana today, in a friendly match at a tie-breaker for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup playoff tournament.
The game in Casablanca, Morocco, comes after Nigeria’s agonizing defeat to Cameroon in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) quarter-finals at the momentous tournament hosted by Morocco.
It will determine which nation will qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, The News Chronicle reports.
According to the newspaper, Nigeria holds an advantage over their arch-rivals as they have seventeen wins against South Africa in a competitive matches to four draws and losses.
Nigeria won 2-1 against South Africa in the 2025 WAFCON semifinals after a stoppage-time goal from Michelle Alozie.
However, South Africa has beaten Nigeria in the 2012, 2018 and 2022 WAFCON finals and this encounter is also a significant test for both teams.
Rasheedat Ajibade will captain Nigeria while Thembi Kgatlana will lead her South African counterparts.
Coach Justin Madugu is expected to make some changes as his team failed to deliver vital strikes against Cameroon.
Now with only one more road to the World Cup, both teams are under the microscope as they prepare to do battle once again.
