The round of 16 of the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand 2023 started on Saturday, August 5. During these matches, Africa saw its first two representatives eliminated at this stage. These are South Africa, the continental champion, eliminated by the Netherlands, and Nigeria eliminated by the reigning champion, England.
On Sunday, August 6, the Netherlands beat the South Africans by two goals to zero, thus ending the Rainbow Nation’s journey in this competition. The South Africans will certainly have regrets following the clear scoring opportunities they failed to capitalize on during this match.
Nigeria, in turn, was eliminated by reigning champion England. Nigeria, which believed until the last minute of the match against England, was eliminated in the penalty shootout that decided the match between the two teams.
With the eliminations of South Africa and Nigeria, Africa no longer controls its destiny. Thus, the black continent is relying on its last representative still in the race, namely the Lionesses of the Atlas, who can blush against the French on Tuesday, August 8, to give a place to the Africans. This match will be a reunion between teams that face each other often, and Morocco may seek to avenge its men who fell in the semi-finals of the Men’s World Cup in Qatar last December against the French men.
Maki Barack Patrick