Nigeria take on South Africa in World Cup playoff today – time and where to watch

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African women’s football giants South Africa and Nigeria clash on Thursday in Casablanca under high-pressure circumstances neither team envisioned.

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Following shocking quarter-final exits at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), one of the continent’s last two champions will see their 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification hopes officially vanish.

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South Africa’s Banyana Banyana fell 2–1 to host nation Morocco in the last eight, while Nigeria’s Super Falcons suffered a narrow 1–0 defeat to Cameroon.

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With the winners of those quarter-final ties securing automatic spots for the World Cup in Brazil, the two heavyweight losers are now forced to fight through the play-off route.

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The Long Road to Brazil 2027

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A victory on Thursday keeps a faint World Cup dream alive, but the path ahead remains steep. The winner will advance to a six-team preliminary round in the Inter-Confederation play-offs. From there, two teams will progress to a final play-off phase alongside four nations that receive direct byes.

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Ultimately, three teams from the final six-nation tournament will lock in their tickets to Brazil via single-elimination knockout matches.

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In practical terms, Thursday’s clash in Morocco is just the first of three distinct hurdles—including a mini-tournament and two must-win knockout fixtures; standing between either nation and a spot at the global showpiece.

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While both camps are devastated to miss out on direct qualification, the door to Brazil is not completely shut just yet.

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Match Details

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• Date: Thursday, August 13
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• Time: 9:00 p.m. WAT
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• Venue: Stade Moulay Rachid, Casablanca, Morocco
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• How to Watch: Live on AfroSport (Nigeria), SABC (South Africa), and SuperSport across the region.
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