South Africa and Ghana have clinched Africa's two berths in the FIFA Intercontinental Playoffs, keeping their 2027 Women's World Cup aspirations alive. The two nations secured crucial victories over Nigeria and Ivory Coast, respectively, in playoff matches held late on Thursday.

Nigeria's 2-1 defeat to South Africa marks a significant setback, as the Super Falcons will now miss the Women's World Cup for the first time since its inception in 1991. The playoff system was designed for the four quarter-finalists of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) who did not qualify directly, to compete for the remaining continental slots.

South Africa's path to victory involved a patient approach against Nigeria. Thembi Kgatlana opened the scoring in the 56th minute following a build-up initiated by Ronnel Donnelly and a subsequent assist from Hildah Magaia. Captain Refiloe Jane appeared to solidify the win with a deflected goal in the 77th minute. However, Jane received a second yellow card in stoppage time for a handball, leading to a penalty which Christy Ucheibe converted for Nigeria, setting up a tense finish. South African goalkeeper Kaylin Swart made a crucial save to deny Michelle Alozie an equalizer.

Ghana also secured their playoff spot with a 2-1 comeback win against Ivory Coast. The Ivorian team, aiming for their second World Cup appearance after 2015, took an early lead through Ines Konan's penalty in the first minute, awarded after a VAR review for an apparent foul on Bernadette Amani. Ghana's Stella Nyamekye had a second-half goal disallowed after a VAR check ruled the goalkeeper still had possession.

Princess Marfo eventually equalized for Ghana with a header before the hour mark. The decisive goal came in the 72nd minute when Josephine Bonsu converted a penalty for Ghana after Aboa Yapo was penalized for a handball, following another VAR review of a shot from Grace Asantewaa.

Ghana's victory keeps alive their hopes for a fourth World Cup participation, having last appeared in 2007. The defeat means Ivory Coast will miss out on the global tournament.

The four semifinalists from the WAFCON—Cameroon, Malawi, Morocco, and Algeria—have already secured direct qualification for the 2027 tournament in Brazil. Cameroon and debutants Malawi are set to compete in the WAFCON final on Sunday.

The Intercontinental Playoffs will provide a final opportunity for South Africa and Ghana to earn their place alongside the directly qualified African nations, adding further anticipation to their World Cup qualification journey.