Ghana and South Africa have officially locked in their spots for the inter-confederation play-offs, keeping their dreams of reaching the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup alive. Both nations fought hard to secure these pivotal victories during Thursday’s matches in Casablanca, marking a major turning point in their qualification journeys.
The Black Queens of Ghana were the first to seal their path, overcoming a nervous start against Côte d’Ivoire. After falling behind to an early penalty from Inès Konan in the fourth minute, the Ghanaians showed immense character. They regrouped after the break, with Princess Marfo leveling the score before Josephine Bonsu stepped up to find the winner with 18 minutes left on the clock. This gritty 2-1 comeback ensures Ghana remains in the hunt for one of the three final tickets to Brazil.
Following that result, South Africa’s Banyana Banyana delivered a high-stakes performance to overcome Nigeria in a 2-1 thriller. The loss was a bitter pill for the Super Falcons, who were aiming to protect their proud qualification record, but South Africa’s tactical discipline proved the difference. By ending Nigeria’s hopes of making history, the reigning two-time WAFCON champions proved once again why they remain a dominant force on the continent.
With these results confirmed, Ghana and South Africa now prepare for the demanding 10-team inter-confederation play-offs. This stage will be broken down into three separate mini-tournaments, scheduled to take place over two international windows running from November 2026 through February 2027. For both African sides, this represents a crucial lifeline after falling just short of direct qualification. Reports understands that only the winners of these mini-tournaments will secure the remaining spots at next year’s global showcase in Brazil.
