WAFCON 2026: Jane vows Banyana fight on after 2-1 Nigeria win in CAF playoff

South Africa defeated Nigeria 2-1 in the CAF playoff to keep their route to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup alive. Refiloe Jane says Banyana Banyana’s unity and determination produced the result after both teams missed out on automatic qualification at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The South African midfielder, 34, believes the team responded well after a difficult tournament. She said the players recognised that their World Cup hopes had not ended, and that their togetherness helped them deliver the performance needed against Nigeria.

South Africa’s WAFCON campaign ended in the quarter-finals, with the team winning two of their five matches. Jane described the tournament as unsuccessful because qualification for the 2027 World Cup had been the main objective. The slow start also left Banyana needing the playoff route, despite entering the competition as the 2022 African champions.

The victory over Nigeria secured South Africa an important place in the next stage of the qualification process, but it did not complete the journey to the World Cup. Banyana will now prepare for the intercontinental playoffs, which are scheduled to take place in the coming months.

The preliminary phase of those playoffs will be held at a centralised venue. Six teams will be placed according to the latest FIFA rankings, adding another stage to South Africa’s campaign for a place at the 2027 finals.

Jane has called for the squad to remain united as preparations continue. Her message is that the team must maintain its fighting spirit and refuse to give up while the World Cup opportunity remains open.