Robert Marawa Reacts to Banyana Banyana's Win Over Nigeria, Praises Kaylin Swart
- Banyana Banyana defeated Nigeria 2-1 at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca on Thursday, 13 August 2026
- Goals from Thembi Kgatlana and captain Refiloe Jane secured South Africa's place in the FIFA intercontinental play-off tournament
- The result sends Nigeria out of World Cup contention for the first time in the tournament's history, dating back to 1991
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Banyana Banyana have kept their 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup dream alive after defeating Nigeria 2-1 in a play-off match at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca on Thursday night, 13 August 2026.
Sports broadcaster Robert Marawa reacted to the result on X, calling it "a lifesaver" for Banyana Banyana and singling out goalkeeper Kaylin Swart for special praise.
"MASSIVE PERFORMANCE FROM THE GIRLS ESPECIALLY GK KAYLIN SWART," Marawa wrote.
Kgatlana and Jane deliver when it mattered
Both goals arrived in the second half. Thembi Kgatlana broke the deadlock in the 56th minute before captain Refiloe Jane doubled South Africa's advantage in the 77th minute. Nigeria's Christy Ucheibe converted from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time to set up a nervy finish, but Desiree Ellis's side held on to secure the crucial victory.
The match was not a WAFCON knockout fixture. Both nations had already been eliminated in the WAFCON quarter-finals - Banyana losing 2-1 to hosts Morocco - and this game served as a qualification play-off for one of Africa's two places in the preliminary phase of FIFA's intercontinental World Cup play-off tournament.
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South Africa have not yet qualified for Brazil 2027. They have, however, secured a further opportunity to do so through the intercontinental play-off route, with FIFA's official Women's World Cup channels confirming their advancement to the preliminary phase.
As seen in the post below on X.
Historic blow for Nigeria's Super Falcons
The defeat carries an enormous consequence for Nigeria. The Super Falcons will miss the Women's World Cup for the first time since the tournament was established in 1991, ending a run of consecutive appearances stretching across more than three decades.
South African football supporters took to social media to celebrate the result and reflect on what the win means.
@MgubelaBongani said:
"Against all odds. Congratulations 🎉 to Banyana Banyana 🇿🇦✊"
@IBonesh wrote:
"Indeed, massive performance 👏 We're proud of the girls. The jollof girls must go home and fix their country 🤣."
@MsKMP2 added:
"Congratulations are in order 🎉👏🎊 Banyana Banyana: halala"
@Abut_Antonio remarked:
"Eh SA denying the jollof boys n girls WC participation 😂😂😂 the hate is real"
SAFA ordered to pay over R500,000
Briefly News also reported that the South African Football Association (SAFA) was ordered to pay more than R500,000 after losing a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) appeal over Banyana Banyana's 2024 international friendlies.
The ruling found that Zimbabwean FIFA match agent Ellen Chiwenga was entitled to payment for arranging the fixtures.
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Source: Briefly News
