Ghana, South Africa Secure Women’s World Cup Play-Off Berths After WAFCON Victories

Ghana, South Africa Secure Women’s World Cup Play-Off Berths After WAFCON Victories

By Niyi Busari 

Ghana and South Africa have secured places in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 inter-confederation play-offs after recording crucial victories over Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria respectively in the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations play-offs in Morocco on Thursday, BSNSports.com ng reports.

The Black Queens came from behind to beat Côte d’Ivoire 2-1 in Casablanca, while South Africa defeated Nigeria by the same scoreline, keeping both nations’ hopes of reaching the 2027 World Cup in Brazil alive.

Ghana rally to defeat Côte d’Ivoire

Ghana produced a determined second-half comeback to overcome Côte d’Ivoire 2-1 at the Larbi Za0ouli Stadium and move into the inter-confederation play-offs.

The Black Queens fell behind after just four minutes when Ines Konan converted a penalty to give the Lady Elephants an early advantage.

Côte d’Ivoire looked organised after taking the lead, while Ghana struggled to create clear openings. The first half was also marked by a physical contest, with Bernadette Amani, Portia Boakye and Aïssata Gbehi all receiving yellow cards.

Ghana were dealt another setback shortly before half-time when Doris Boaduwaa was forced off with an injury and replaced by Evelyn Badu.

The Black Queens, however, returned from the break with renewed purpose and levelled in the 59th minute through Princess Marfo.

The equaliser shifted the momentum in Ghana’s favour, and the turnaround was completed 13 minutes later when Josephine Bonsu converted a penalty to put the Black Queens 2-1 ahead.

Côte d’Ivoire made changes in search of an equaliser, but Ghana defended resolutely in the closing stages. Sharon Sampson, Alice Sarpong and Linda Owusu were introduced as the Black Queens sought to protect their advantage.

Despite late pressure from the Lady Elephants, Ghana held on to secure a victory that keeps their World Cup hopes firmly alive.

The result represents another step towards ending Ghana’s long absence from the Women’s World Cup. The Black Queens last appeared at the tournament in 2007, having previously featured at three consecutive editions in 1999, 2003 and 2007.

Côte d’Ivoire, meanwhile, saw their hopes of returning to the World Cup for only the second time disappear after the defeat. Their only previous appearance came in 2015.

For Ghana, the focus now turns to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 inter-confederation play-offs, where they will have another opportunity to secure a place at the finals in Brazil.

South Africa edge Nigeria in another dramatic contest

South Africa also kept their World Cup hopes alive with a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in a fiercely contested play-off at the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON.

Banyana Banyana had the first clear opportunity in the seventh minute when Linda Motlhalo fired from distance, but her effort went over the crossbar.

Nigeria responded through Rasheedat Ajibade three minutes later, although her effort from outside the penalty area drifted wide.

Neither side was able to break the deadlock before half-time, with both teams competing intensely for control.

South Africa finally found the breakthrough in the 56th minute after a swift counterattack. Hildah Magaia supplied the final pass for Thembi Kgatlana, who calmly finished to put Banyana Banyana ahead.

Kgatlana came close to adding a second shortly afterwards but could not convert her close-range opportunity.

Nigeria pushed forward in search of an equaliser and almost found one in the 75th minute when Uchenna Kanu headed towards goal. South Africa goalkeeper Kaylin Swart, however, produced an important save to preserve her side’s lead.

South Africa then doubled their advantage a minute later.

Refiloe Jane reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the penalty area and fired through a crowded box to make it 2-0.

Nigeria refused to give up and were handed a lifeline deep into stoppage time following a VAR review.

Jane was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the penalty area, resulting in a penalty. The South African midfielder was shown a second yellow card and sent off, before substitute Christy Ucheibe converted from the spot to reduce the deficit to 2-1.

The Super Falcons pressed for a late equaliser, but South Africa held firm to claim a significant victory.

The win moves Banyana Banyana into the next stage of the World Cup qualification pathway, keeping alive their ambitions of competing at the 2027 tournament in Brazil.

For both Ghana and South Africa, the victories provide a second chance after they failed to progress to the WAFCON semi-finals and consequently missed out on direct World Cup qualification.

Their routes to Brazil remain open, with the inter-confederation play-offs now standing between the two African sides and a potential place on the global stage.