Super Falcons’ wings to carry Africa
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday July 29, 2023 06:00
Along the way, the Atlas Lions eliminated heavyweights including Portugal and Spain, while playing some enterprising football, and finished fourth at the competition.
Nigeria is the most successful team at the Women’s World Cup having reached the quarterfinals but that was in 1999. The 24-year-old record remains intact and Nigeria is on course to outperform their 1999 squad. The Super Falcons remain the only African team to avoid a defeat at the world spectacle held in New Zealand and Australia.
Nigeria played to a 0-0 draw against Canada in their tournament opener last Friday. The Super Falcons yesterday came from 1-0 down to beat co-host Australia 3-2 in their second Group B match.
The win takes the Super League to the top of Group B with four points, level with Canada but Nigeria has scored more goals. The team has one foot in the knockout round as they face the Republic of Ireland in their final group stage matches. The Republic of Ireland has bowed out of the tournament having lost their two group stage matches.
The rest of the African contingent is, however, not enjoying the same run as Nigeria as they face early exits. Zambia has exited the World Cup as they lost their two games thus far. Shepolopolo has shipped 10 goals in the two games as they experience a torrid debut at the tournament. The team lost 5-0 to Japan before another 5-0 loss to Spain on Wednesday.
Zambia is yet to score at the tournament and will face Costa Rica in their final match. South Africa’s Banyana Banyana were in a must-win match against Argentina this morning. Banyana let a 1-0 lead slip in their tournament opener against Sweden as they went on to lose the tie 2-1. They face a stubborn Italy side in their final group tie.
Italy started this morning second to Sweden and the two teams are favourites to make it into knockout stage while Banyana have slim chances. Morocco, meanwhile, did not enjoy their World Cup debut match as they were demolished 6-0 by Germany. Morocco sit bottom of Group G and are in a must-win final two group stage matches.
The team takes on Korea Republic on Sunday and Colombia on Thursday. Meanwhile, tournaments favourites, Brazil and England kicked off their championship bids with convincing wins over Panama and Haiti. The defending champions, USA beat Vietnam 3-0 before playing a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands.