Banyana beat Nigeria to keep World Cup dream alive

Compiled by Dylan Bettencourt

• Thembi Kgatlana and Refiloe Jane scored as Banyana beat Nigeria 2-1 to reach the intercontinental World Cup playoffs.

• Banyana finished with 10 players after Jane’s red card but held on despite Nigeria’s late penalty.

Banyana Banyana kept their 2027 World Cup dream alive with a huge 2-1 win over Nigeria on Thursday night.

The victory in Casablanca secured South Africa one of Africa’s two places in the intercontinental playoffs.

Banyana still have a long road to Brazil.

The first playoff phase will take place in November and December, with six teams fighting for two places in the next round.

Those two winners will then join four teams with byes in February, when three World Cup places will be decided.

South Africa had to fight until the final whistle against Nigeria.

Thembi Kgatlana opened the scoring in the 56th minute after Hildah Magaia found her inside the box.

It was Kgatlana’s 37th goal for Banyana.

Goalkeeper Kaylin Swart then produced a crucial save before South Africa doubled their lead.

Karabo Dhlamini delivered a corner and captain Refiloe Jane’s shot took a deflection before beating Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie in the 77th minute.

Drama followed deep into stoppage time.

Jane was sent off after a VAR check found she had handled the ball inside the box.

Christy Ucheibe scored the resulting penalty in the 93rd minute to make it 2-1.

But Banyana held on with 10 players to complete a major victory over their old rivals.

Pictured above: Banyana Banyana players.

Image source: @CAFWomen