Nigeria’s Super Falcons have failed to qualify directly for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup after losing to Cameroon in the quarter-finals of the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The defeat means Nigeria will have to rely on the intercontinental play-offs for another opportunity to secure a place at next year’s global tournament in Brazil.
The four teams that have reached the WAFCON semi-finals are: Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon and Malawi. They have all secured automatic qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
The WAFCON is serving as Africa’s qualifying tournament for the World Cup, with the four semi-finalists guaranteed places at the global competition.
Algeria secured their historic qualification after defeating 10-player Ivory Coast 2-1. The Ivorians had taken the lead before N’Sira Oudraogo was sent off, after which Ines Khiri and Amira Ould Braham completed Algeria’s comeback.
The victory earned Algeria a place at the Women’s World Cup for the first time in their history.
Hosts Morocco also booked their ticket after defeating South Africa 2-1, with Sakina Ouzraoui Diki and Hanane Ait El Haj finding the net for the Atlas Lionesses.
Meanwhile, Cameroon ended Nigeria’s hopes with a 1-0 victory, courtesy of a spectacular 30-yard free-kick from 19-year-old Myriam Nyadjou.
Malawi completed the semi-final line-up with one of the biggest surprises of the tournament, overcoming Ghana 2-1 after coming from behind. Temwa Chawinga and Rose Kadzere scored the goals that sent the 153rd-ranked nation into the last four.
The WAFCON semi-finals will take place on Wednesday, with Morocco facing Cameroon and Algeria battling Malawi.
However, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast and South Africa are not completely out of the World Cup race.
The four quarter-final losers will contest additional play-off matches on Thursday, with Ivory Coast facing Ghana and Nigeria taking on South Africa.
The winners of those encounters will advance to the 10-team intercontinental play-offs scheduled for November and December.
Three of the 10 teams competing in the intercontinental play-offs will eventually secure qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, which is scheduled to run from June 24 to July 25, 2027.
