Three African countries Enter Knock out stage in Women’s world Cup

Three African countries have qualified for the knock out stage of the 2023 FIFA Women World Cup hosted in Australia.

The countries are Nigeria, South Africa and Morocco.

The Super Falcons of Nigeria sealed a place in the round of 16 of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup after pulling off a goalless draw against debutants, Republic of Ireland on Tuesday.

Also read: Wasteful Nigeria Zoom into World Cup round of 16

A defensive-minded Falcons side resisted a plethora of offensive opportunities by the Republic of Ireland as goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie remained calm as ever to fend off-targets, particularly a strike by Katie McCabe in the 5th minute.

The best attempt of the game for Nigeria was from striker Asisat Oshoala in the 14th minute whose shot went wide.

Oshoala connected to a lovely pass from Uchenna Kanu with a fantastic first touch but her shot was misplaced as it flew past the left post.

Nigeria will now face the winners of Group D in Brisbane, which could be England if they draw with or beat China on Tuesday.

The Falcons avoided defeat in all three group-stage matches for the first time ever.

They became the first African team to qualify for the round of 16 at the ongoing 2023 Women’s World Cup.

South Africa also qualified for the last-16 of the 2023 Women’s World   Cup for the first time after defeating Italy in a Group G encounter in Wellington on Wednesday.

The 3-2 victory in the final group stage match was South Africa’s first win in Women’s World Cup history in its second tournament appearance.

The Banyana Banyana joins Sweden in qualifying for the round of 16 from group G after the latter beat Argentina to secure top spot in the group.

South Africa becomes the second African team to qualify for the knockouts after Nigeria (1999, 2019, 2023) and Cameroon (2015,2019).

Italy took a 11th minute lead thanks to a penalty from Arianna Carusso but South Africa fought back, forcing an own goal from Benedetta Orsi in the 32nd minute, following a blind backpass and scoring through Hildah Magaia in the second half to take the lead.

Carusso scored again following a corner ten minutes later but South Africa stunned the Azzurre with a 92nd minute winner through Thembi Kgatlana to make history.

“They fought like warriors,” said an emotional coach Desiree Ellis, who was a founding member of the South Africa women’s side in 1993.

“They fought like the heroines that we know that they are. They fought to be historically remembered and they’ve made history not just getting our first win, but going to the round of 16 and that is freaking amazing.”

Moreover, Morocco made their first appearance in FIFA Women’s World Cup memorable as they beat Colombia 1-0 to reach the last 16 of the mega event.

The 72nd-ranked Moroccans scored through An Anissa Lahmari’s toe-poke after a saved penalty at the end of the first half but their passage was only secured after South Korea held twice champions Germany to a 1-1 draw in the other Group H match.

Colombia topped the group with six points, bettering runners-up Morocco on goal difference, while Germany and South Korea depart the tournament.

Morocco, who were thumped 6-0 by Germany in their opener before beating South Korea 1-0, move on to meet France in Adelaide and Colombia play Jamaica in Melbourne on Tuesday.

The two teams generated chances in the first half, but it was only in stoppage time when Colombia’s Daniela Arias clumsily fouled forward Ibtissam Jraidi in the penalty area that Morocco had a genuine scoring opportunity.

Las Cafeteras keeper Catalina Perez dived to her left to stop Ghizlane Chebbak’s spot kick but midfielder Lahmari nudged the ball into the net in the ensuing goalmouth scramble.

Colombia dominated play in search of an equaliser after the break, with Daniela Montoya and Lorena Bedoya Durango getting shots away in the 59th minute.

Morocco goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi found herself in the thick of it again in the 72nd minute when she tipped teenage striker Linda Caicedo’s shot over the bar.

A frenzied finish saw end-to-end action, but the Arab nation held on to continue their fairytale start to their first World Cup campaign.

Fixtures for Round 16