VIDEO: Justine Madugu and Rasheedat Ajibade Address Nigeria’s World Cup Lifeline Ahead of South Africa Clash

Nigeria's Super Falcons have been handed another opportunity to keep their World Cup qualification campaign alive after their disappointing exit from the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The nine-time African champions face South Africa at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca on Thursday, August 13, with kick-off scheduled for 9pm WAT.

The match has significant consequences: the winner advances to the FIFA Inter-Confederation Play-Offs, while the loser is eliminated from the race for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

In their pre-match press conference, Madugu and Ajibade addressed the Cameroon defeat, Nigeria’s missed chances, the team’s response to the setback and what must change against South Africa.

Madugu: Nigeria must make their chances count

One of the biggest issues from Nigeria’s quarter-final defeat to Cameroon was their inability to convert their opportunities.

The Super Falcons created chances but failed to find the equaliser after Cameroon took the lead through Nyadjou's 19th-minute free-kick.

Asked how much could realistically be done to improve Nigeria's finishing in the short period between the Cameroon defeat and the South Africa match, Madugu acknowledged that clinical finishing is not something that can be developed overnight.

“Everything takes time.”

The coach said the team can only hope that when similar opportunities come their way against South Africa, the players will be able to convert them and be in the right frame of mind to execute.

That could be one of the defining factors on Thursday.

Nigeria scored nine goals during the group stage, including six against Egypt, but their inability to find the net against Cameroon ultimately ended their WAFCON campaign.

Against South Africa, there may be even less margin for error.

Ajibade: Nigeria must respond to adversity

For captain Rasheedat Ajibade, the focus is now on the opportunity that remains.

The midfielder pointed to Nigeria's previous performances against top opposition as evidence that the team has the ability to compete at the highest level.

Reflecting on past matches, Ajibade emphasised the importance of taking the positives from difficult experiences while moving forward rather than remaining trapped in the past.

That mentality will be important for a team that has had only a few days to recover from the disappointment of losing to Cameroon.

A different kind of pressure

Nigeria entered the WAFCON with expectations of competing for the title, but their quarter-final defeat changed the nature of the campaign.

The Super Falcons are no longer fighting for a place in the WAFCON semi-finals.

They are fighting to remain in the World Cup qualification race.

Nigeria finished second in Group C with six points after losing 3-2 to Malawi, beating Zambia 1-0 and defeating Egypt 6-2.

They were then beaten 1-0 by Cameroon in the quarter-finals.

South Africa have followed a similarly difficult path.

Banyana Banyana finished second in Group B with four points before losing 2-1 to hosts Morocco in their quarter-final.

Both teams therefore enter the play-in after disappointment, but both still have a route to Brazil.

Nigeria's World Cup equation

The equation is straightforward.

Win against South Africa: Nigeria advance to the FIFA Inter-Confederation Play-Offs and remain in contention for the 2027 Women's World Cup.

Lose to South Africa: Nigeria's World Cup qualification campaign ends.

There is no additional route after Thursday's match.

That makes the encounter one of the most important fixtures of Nigeria's campaign.

Nigeria must turn possession and chances into a result

The Super Falcons have already shown that they possess enough attacking quality to score goals in this tournament.

The challenge is doing it when the stakes are highest.

Against Cameroon, Nigeria's inability to convert opportunities proved costly.

Against South Africa, another wasteful performance could have the same consequence.

Madugu and his players therefore face a straightforward task: recover quickly, execute their game plan and take the opportunities when they come.

For Ajibade and the Super Falcons, Thursday is not an opportunity to make up for the Cameroon defeat.

It is an opportunity to ensure that defeat does not end their World Cup journey.

WATCH: Madugu and Ajibade speak ahead of South Africa vs Nigeria

Watch the full pre-match press conference below for Madugu and Ajibade's thoughts on Nigeria's preparation, the Cameroon defeat, finishing, the South Africa challenge and the fight for a place in the next stage of World Cup qualification.