Women’s World Cup qualification hopes for Ghana and South Africa stayed alive with their victories in the WAFCON Play-in matches.
After missing out on the four automatic qualifying spots by losing their quarter-final ties at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, they both secured places in the inter-confederation play-offs.
South Africa edged past reigning WAFCON champions Nigeria 2-1 with second-half goals from Thembi Kgatlana and Refiloe Jane, while the Super Falcons only replied with a stoppage-time penalty by Christy Ucheibe.
Ghana beat Ivory Coast by the same score, but after coming from behind following Akissi Konan’s early spot-kick. Princess Marfo leveled by the hour mark, and Josephine Bonsu converted a 72nd-minute penalty.
Ghana and South Africa join Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Papua New Guinea in qualifying for the play-offs, along with the two CONCACAF W Championship play-in winners and the lowest-ranked winners from the UEFA play-offs.
The last two matches at WAFCON 2026 see hosts Morocco and Algeria contest the third-place game at 6pm on Saturday, 15 August, followed by the final on Sunday at 8pm, where Cameroon face tournament debutants Malawi.
Both matches will be streamed live on the CAF YouTube channel.
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