The 2023 Women’s World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand started in a promising fashion for African teams but ended up becoming business as usual.
In the group stage, African teams stunned world giants to qualify for the round of 16 stage of the campaign.
For instance, the South African women’s team beat European giants, Italy to qualify for the round of 16 but got beaten by another European giants, Netherlands in the round.
Though the 2023 Women’s World Cup was the first edition of the tournament for the reigning African women’s champions, their performance in the group stage raised the hope of the team but that didn’t take them beyond the round of 16.
After the exit of the Bayana Bayana, the Super Falcons of Nigeria were seen as the African team that could push beyond the round of 16. Unfortunately, it was not to be even though they dominated the reigning European champions, England in the round.
England which played the last ten minutes of the regular time and also the extra 30 minutes with ten women after Lauren James was red-carded, knocked out the Eagles 4-2 on penalties on Monday, August 7, 2023.
Earlier today, August 8, 2023, Morocco, the last African team at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, were expected to beat France in the round of 16 but they couldn’t do much.
Before 23 minutes of the encounter, France who hosted the last edition of the tournament had already scored three goals. Interestingly, the Moroccan women were able to organize themselves well enough to avoid further assault until in the 70th minute when Eugénie Le Sommer added the 4th goal for France and her second in the game.
At the end of the thrilling encounter, Morocco prevented a too-embarrassing scoreline as the game ended 4-0 and the African side ended their journey at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in the round of 16.
Below are the 2023 Women’s World Cup Quarter-Final Fixtures
France’s Kadidiatou Diani celebrates scoring their first goal against Morocco with Kenza Dali, Sandie Toletti, Grace Geyoro, Elisa De Almeida, and Eugenie Le Sommer. Photo Credit: Reuters.
1. Spain Vs Netherlands, Friday, August 11, at 02:00 a.m.
2. Japan Vs Sweden, Friday, August 11, at 8:30 a.m.
3. Australia Vs France, Saturday, August 12, at 8 a.m.
4. England Vs Colombia, Saturday, August 12, at 11:30 a.m.
