Asisat Oshoala has urged Nigerians to rally behind the Super Falcons as they face South Africa in a crucial 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup play-off on Thursday, saying the team needs the nation’s support more than ever with their World Cup hopes at stake.

The Falcons lost their automatic qualification opportunity after a 1-0 quarter-final defeat to Cameroon at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, leaving them with a tougher route to the World Cup.

Nigeria are among four WAFCON quarter-final losers who will contest two knockout play-off matches, with the winners advancing to FIFA’s Intercontinental Play-Off Tournament, where three World Cup tickets will be available.

Oshoala, who acknowledged the disappointment of the Falcons struggle this year, said the players were determined to respond against South Africa and called on Nigerians to remain behind the team.

“The only thing I can say right now is we need their support. The World Cup ticket is at stake, so this is the time when we really need everyone to support the team,” she said.

“We already know the Super Eagles didn’t qualify, so we know what is at stake and we know how Nigerians feel about this. We are sorry we lost this one, but the next game we will put in more effort and try to win the game.”

The Falcons are in unfamiliar territory, having never missed a Women’s World Cup since the tournament began in 1991. Nigeria are also one of only seven teams to have appeared at all nine editions of the competition.

That record is now in danger, with the 10-time African champions needing to successfully negotiate the play-off route to maintain their unbroken presence at the global tournament.

Their struggles at the WAFCON have also highlighted the narrowing gap in African women’s football. Nigeria, who entered the tournament as defending champions and the continent’s most successful side, suffered defeats by Malawi and Cameroon.

Oshoala believes those results should serve as a warning that Nigeria can no longer rely solely on their historical dominance.

“Smaller nations are closing the gap for sure, but it’s also a wake-up call for us to put in effort knowing that there are other people who actually want to win this trophy. So we have to work harder now,” she said. (Punch)