Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie says Nigeria must 'go back to the drawing board' after missing out on automatic qualification for the 2027 Women's World Cup. The Super Falcons failed to reach the semi-finals of the ongoing 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Morocco, losing 1-0 to Cameroon in the last eight. Cameroon now guarantees a spot at the World Cup in Brazil alongside Algeria, Malawi, and Morocco.

Nigeria, last year's Wafcon champions, will face South Africa in a play-off on Thursday for a chance at an inter-confederation qualifier. Nnadozie said: 'There's still hope - it's not over yet.' Nigeria have featured at all nine previous Women's World Cups. The Super Falcons made the quarter-finals in 1999 and progressed to the last 16 at the most recent two tournaments.

Elsewhere, Ghana take on Ivory Coast for Africa's second inter-continental qualifier spot.