Banyana Banyana’s hopes of reaching the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil are over after a 2-1 defeat to Nigeria in Casablanca. Goalkeeper Kaylin Swart made a crucial save, but the loss ended their qualification campaign. Nigeria, meanwhile, failed to secure a spot in the tournament, with South Africa and Ghana claiming Africa’s two Intercontinental Playoff spots. The result leaves Nigeria out of the World Cup, marking the end of a challenging qualifying phase. The match, held at the Moulay Rachid Stadium, saw Banyana’s captain Refiloe Jane and Thembi Kgatlana score to keep the team in contention until the final match. Despite the loss, Swart’s performance was praised as a standout moment in the competition. The outcome highlights the competitive nature of African women’s football, with only two teams securing a place in the global stage. The decision to exclude Nigeria underscores the tight race for World Cup qualification.