News

Three African nations have qualified for the knockout stage of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time in history of the competition.

South Africa, Morocco and Nigeria have all made it to the Round of 16 of this year’s tournaments. Zambia is the only African Nation who did not make it past the group stage in this year’s tournament.

Nigeria

Nigeria finished second in Group B with five points and unbeaten, and will play England in the Round of 16 on August 7th.

Group B Final standings
🇦🇺Australia GD +3 PTS 6
🇳🇬Nigeria GD +1 PTS 5
🇨🇦Canada GD -2 PTS 4
🇮🇪Ireland GD -2 PTS 1

South Africa

South Africa came from behind to defeat Italy 3-2 in added time thanks to a late Thembi Kgatlana strike. It’s the first time the Banyana Banyana has won a FIFA Women’s World Cup match and also the first time they have made it to the knockout stage of the tournament. They will play Netherlands who finished top of Group E, on August 6th in the Round of 16.

Women’s World Cup Group G Standings

🇸🇪Sweden MP 3 GD +8 PTS
🇿🇦South Africa MP 3 GD 0 PTS 4
🇮🇹Italy MP 3 GD -5 PTS 3
🇦🇷Argentina MP 3 GD -1 PTS 1

Morocco

Morocco pulled off a great upset against Colombia to finished runners up ahead of Germany who could only play a 1-1 draw with South Korea.

They were given a penalty in first half added time but Ghizlane Chebak failed to convert it, but luckily for her the rebound was forced in by Anissa Lahmari. Both sides came close to scoring in the second half on multiple occasions but the brilliant efforts from both Goalkeepers ensured the tie stayed same. The Moroccans headed into this fixture needing a 4-0 win or better Germany’s results against South Korea inorder to have any hopes of qualifying.

They will play a strong Hervé Renard French side who finished top of Group F with 7 points in the Round of 16 on August 8th.

Group H Standings

🇨🇴Colombia MP 3 GD +2 PTS 6
🇲🇦Morocco MP 3 GD -4 PTS 6
🇩🇪Germany MP 3 GD +5 PTS 4
🇰🇷South Korea MP 3 GD -3 PTS 1

Colombia and Morocco book their spots in the knockout rounds of the #FIFAWWC

Bring on the last 16 ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/ak4jOUcL96

— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 3, 2023