Uchenna Kanu vows Super Falcons will fight South Africa for World Cup spot

Nigeria striker Uchenna Kanu has pledged that the Super Falcons will give their maximum effort to defeat South Africa this Thursday. The match serves as a vital play-off to decide which of the two teams will earn a ticket to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification play-offs.

The 29-year-old Cruz Azul forward expressed that the squad is focused on correcting their recent misfortunes. Following a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in the quarterfinals, Nigeria failed to secure direct qualification for the World Cup. This marks the first time the nation has missed out on the tournament since the competition's inception in 1991.

Kanu admitted that the team felt deep sadness and disappointment following the loss to Cameroon. She noted that the players were in tears after being knocked out of WAFCON 2026, but she insisted the squad is now using that experience as a lesson to improve. The striker stated that the team intends to leave everything on the pitch during the upcoming fixture.

Having previously played for clubs including Sevilla, Racing Louisville, and UANL, the Aba-born attacker said the team is working to overcome their current emotional low. She noted that the players are determined to secure the World Cup ticket to make amends for their recent exit.

Kanu emphasized that the immediate priority is the Thursday encounter against South Africa. She expressed hope that a positive result will help the team recover their momentum and progress toward the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.