Okoronkwo calls for Super Falcons reset after 2-1 World Cup loss

Nigeria’s Super Falcons lost 2-1 to South Africa in the decisive play-off for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Casablanca. The defeat ended Nigeria’s run of qualifying for every edition of the Women’s World Cup since the competition began in 1991.

Esther Okoronkwo has urged the team to put the setback behind them and concentrate on the next stage of their international programme. The AFC Toronto forward acknowledged the pain of missing a tournament that will be held in Brazil, but said the players must recover and redirect their attention.

South Africa secured the victory through goals from Thembi Kgatlana and Refiloe Jane. Christy Ucheibe scored from the penalty spot late in the match, but Nigeria could not find the equaliser needed to keep their qualification hopes alive.

The play-off defeat followed Nigeria’s exit from the 2026 WAFCON. The Super Falcons arrived at that tournament as defending champions, before Cameroon eliminated them with a 1-0 quarter-final win. Their subsequent route to the World Cup therefore ended at the final play-off hurdle against South Africa.

Okoronkwo believes the two disappointments should provide lessons for the squad rather than continue to affect the players. She was part of Nigeria’s team that won the previous WAFCON and has become an important attacking option for the national side.

The forward also played a key role during Nigeria’s 2024 Olympic qualification campaign, scoring the decisive goal against Cameroon in Abuja. With the World Cup place gone, the Super Falcons’ attention now turns to rebuilding and preparing for the 2028 Olympic qualification cycle through their next international fixtures.