Nigeria vs South Africa: Oshoala fires Super Falcons warning – “There to fight”

Super Falcons forward Asisat Oshoala has warned that Nigeria’s 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup play-off against South Africa will be a fierce battle, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nigeria and South Africa will meet in Casablanca later today after both sides suffered quarter-final defeats at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The Super Falcons lost 1-0 to Cameroon, while Banyana Banyana were beaten 2-1 by hosts Morocco.

The result means neither team could secure automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, leaving today’s encounter as a crucial opportunity to keep their hopes of reaching Brazil alive. The winner will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs.

GAMEDAY 🦅💚 pic.twitter.com/EcdYzIE7Vq

— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) August 13, 2026

Oshoala acknowledged that Nigeria would have preferred a different route to the World Cup but insisted that the players must now focus on the opportunity still available to them.

“To be honest, I think right now, this is where we find ourselves, and we just have to face it. Not the best way, but also, the World Cup is still there for us to grab,” the Al-Hilal striker said in an interview with Femi Pereira.

“So we still have to go all out and fight for the spot.”

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Oshoala: Nigeria vs South Africa will be a battle

The six-time African Player of the Year knows exactly what awaits Nigeria when they face South Africa.

The two sides have developed one of the biggest rivalries in African women's football, with their recent meetings often producing closely fought contests.

Nigeria eliminated South Africa from the Olympic qualification race in 2024 before also defeating Banyana Banyana 2-1 at the 2025 WAFCON.

South Africa, however, have also caused the Super Falcons problems, including a 2-1 victory over Nigeria at the 2022 WAFCON.

Oshoala believes the history between the two teams, combined with their recent disappointments at the WAFCON, makes today's game even more of a battle.

“South Africa, as you already know, it’s always tough against them. They’re a footballing nation as well, and also because we knocked them out of the Olympics last time, and also WAFCON last time as well,” the 31-year-old continued.

“So, we don’t expect it to be an easy game, but we’re like two wounded lions, you know, wanting to go out there to fight for something.

“So, it’s going to be a tough one, but yeah, inshallah, we carry it the day.”

Oshoala confident Super Falcons can respond

Nigeria entered the WAFCON as defending champions and Africa's most successful women's national team, but their title defence ended in the quarter-finals after they struggled to find a way past Cameroon.

The Super Falcons created several chances but could not find an equaliser after Cameroon took the lead through Myriam Nyadjou Wamen.

Oshoala believes the players have already moved on from that disappointment and are ready to correct the mistakes that contributed to their defeat.

“We're up there. Mentally, we're ready to go out there to fight and also to correct our mistakes against Cameroon,” the former Bay FC striker added.

With the Super Falcons facing the possibility of missing the Women's World Cup for the first time in their history, Oshoala also appealed to Nigerians to continue supporting the team.

The ex-Barcelona striker admitted that the players were deeply affected by the Cameroon defeat but insisted that they had given everything during the tournament.

“The truth is, I think we’re also heartbroken. We’re players; we’re running for 90 minutes. No one wants to go out there, run around and then lose the game,” she said.

“We all wanted to win, and as always, we’re always giving 100%. It just wasn’t our day, basically.”

Oshoala acknowledged that mistakes are part of football but called on supporters to remain behind the team as Nigeria attempt to make amends against South Africa.

“Mistakes happen, things happen, but we just keep urging them to keep supporting the team so we can all smile and be happy again as one nation,” the Super Falcons legend concluded.

Thank you, Nigeria! 🇳🇬❤️

Yesterday’s result wasn’t what we dreamed of, but your incredible support kept us fighting until the very last second.

We feel the love, we carry the pride, and we promise you, we will be BACK! 🦅#SoarSuperFalcons | #TheQueens | #WAFCON2026 pic.twitter.com/0ZT0iFpjcm

— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) August 10, 2026

For Nigeria, there is an additional piece of history at stake. The Super Falcons have appeared at every edition of the Women's World Cup since the tournament began, and a defeat to Banyana Banyana would bring that streak to an end.