
A lot of predictions didn’t have a solitary African aspect earning it out of the team stages at the Women’s Entire world Cup, but the continent has as soon as again ripped up the sort book – just as it did at Qatar 2022 for the men’s match.

Nigeria, South Africa and tournament debutants Morocco have all stamped their tickets to the knockout spherical of the match in Australia and New Zealand, ensuring the presence of three African teams in the tournament’s last 16 for the to start with time at any time.

Zambia fell brief of creating it 4 out of 4 African nations, ending 3rd in Team C at the rear of two of the competition’s strongest sides, Japan and Spain. However the tournament’s most affordable FIFA planet-rated crew (77th) bowed out in type, saying their very first ever Women’s Entire world Cup gain with a 3-1 victory around Costa Rica.

For the a few remaining African sides, goals of replicating – or even surpassing – Morocco’s achievement of achieving the semifinals at Qatar 2022 remain really true.

SOUTH AFRICA

No group left it as late to qualify from the group stage as South Africa.

Locked at 2-2 with Italy heading into damage time, Banyana Banyana required a win to leapfrog their opponents into 2nd spot in Team G and make into the previous 16.

Getting suffered an agonizing previous-moment defeat to Sweden and surrendered a two-intention lead in opposition to Argentina, it looked set to be far more Earth Cup heartbreak for South Africa, who shed all 3 group online games on their 2019 debut.

But Thembi Kgatlana experienced other tips, tapping household Hildah Magaia’s pull again to safe South Africa’s to start with ever Women’s Planet Cup earn and a position in the knockout phases with the flick of a boot.

Racing Louisville striker Kgatlana has been in irrepressible kind at the match, notching a pair of aims and helps apiece. It marks a impressive reaction for a participant who was sidelined for most of 2022 subsequent an Achilles injury and lined up from Italy in the wake of wonderful personal reduction.

“Over the previous two months, I’ve lost 3 family members. I could have long gone household but I chose to keep with my girls,” Kgatlana informed reporters. “Because that’s how a lot it usually means.”

On Sunday, a stern exam awaits in the Netherlands. Finalists in 2019, the Dutch had been in stellar type in Group E, beating Portugal and holding the US Women’s National Staff – the two-time reigning winner – to a attract before crushing Vietnam 7- to major the section.

South Africa vs. Netherlands, Sydney Football Stadium, Sunday 3 a.m. GMT (11 p.m. Saturday EDT)

NIGERIA

It may have featured two scoreless draws, but Nigeria’s route to the final 16 was not brief on drama.

A penalty help save from goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie aided the Super Falcons to an outstanding – attract from reigning Olympic champion Canada in their opening Group B recreation. A reliable commence for a side who arrived at the event obtaining conceded a lot more targets at the Environment Cup than any other team.

A bout with co-hosts Australia served up 1 of the games of the tournament so much Nigeria shocked Brisbane Stadium with a thrilling 3-2 victory.

Uchenna Kanu cancelled out Australia’s opener in advance of Osinachi Ohale and Asisat Oshoala driven Nigeria forward. Australia’s Alanna Kennedy pulled 1 back again in the 10th moment of injury time to tee up a grandstand finish, but Nigeria held firm to entire a famed victory.

A – draw against by now eradicated Republic of Eire was plenty of to see Nigeria development from the group levels for the third time in their heritage but observed them surrender major place in the part to Australia following the co-hosts dismantled Canada 4-.

What would have been a match-up against Team D runners up Denmark is now a showdown with reigning European champion England. To go any additional, the Super Falcons will have to cease a team with a best report at the event so far and beat European opposition at the Women’s Environment Cup for only the next time in their historical past.

The very first came courtesy of a 2- victory towards Denmark on their match debut in 1999, nonetheless Nigeria are winless in the subsequent 12 matches towards European sides.

With Chelsea star Lauren James headlining an array of stunning attacking talents for the Lionesses, Nigeria will be calling on midfielder Christy Ucheibe to proceed her stellar defensive type. The Benfica star has manufactured 18 tackles at the tournament so significantly, much more than any other participant.

Nigeria vs. England, Brisbane Stadium, Monday 8:30am GMT (04:30 am EDT)

MOROCCO

If handful of experienced tipped Morocco to make it out of Group H, even significantly less would have completed so following they had been crushed 6- by tournament heavyweights Germany on their Women’s Planet Cup debut.

It remaining a selection Moroccan players strewed throughout the pitch in despair, but they picked them selves up to make record in their 2nd video game against South Korea. Striker Ibtissam Jraidi’s target, the country’s 1st ever at the match, secured a shock 1- earn.

Much more background was created as Nouhaila Benzina grew to become the very first participant to wear a hijab at a senior-amount Women’s World Cup, and the defender arrived near to doubling the direct with a effectively-struck volley.

It left Morocco needing to much better Germany’s final result in their remaining team match against a Colombia facet having fun with an fantastic marketing campaign with two wins from two.

As soon as yet again the North Africans the moment upset the odds, Anissa Lahmari’s strike on the stroke of fifty percent-time more than enough to eke out a different 1- victory.

The nail-biting wasn’t finished yet although, as the squad gathered spherical mobile phones to await Germany’s consequence. As news trickled by that South Korea experienced held the Europeans to a attract in Brisbane, bedlam ensued in Perth, as Moroccan players celebrated a historic accomplishment and a date with France on Tuesday.

The Atlas Lionesses will be hoping to avenge the Atlas Lions, whose 2- defeat to France in the semifinals of the men’s World Cup in Qatar nine months back introduced an end to the best ever operate by an African staff at the match.

Morocco vs France, Hindmarsh Stadium, Tuesday at 12pm GMT (8:00 am EDT)
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