The group stage matches at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand have ended, and the draws for the Round of 16 knockout stages confirmed.
Among the four African countries that participated, three teams have advanced to the knockout stages, these are Nigeria, South Africa and Morocco.
The Super Falcons of Nigeria will be playing against the Lionesses of England, while the Bayana Bayana of South Africa will be playing against the Orange Lionesses of the Netherlands and Atlas Lionesses of Morocco will face France.
Morocco qualifying in a group with Germany who ended up crashing out was quite celebratory for the debutant, while South Africa made history with their first-ever Round of 16 at a Women’s World Cup.
The United States team who are the reigning champions managed to qualify with two drawn group games and only winning against Vietnam.
There were some upsets at the Women’s World Cup group stages as some big names and achievers didn’t make it to the knockout stage.
In Group F, Brazil were sent home after losing to France, drawing Jamaica and winning only against Panama.
Germany also failed to move past group stages for the first time.
The qualifiers are Switzerland, Norway, Australia, Nigeria, Japan, Spain, England, Denmark, Netherlands, USA, France, Jamaica, Sweden, South Africa, Colombia, and Morocco
FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Round of 16 Fixtures
Switzerland v Spain – Saturday 5 August 2023
Japan v Norway – Saturday 5 August 2023
Netherlands v South Africa – Sunday 6 August 2023
Sweden v United States – Sunday 6 August 2023
England v Nigeria – Monday 7 August 2023
Australia v Denmark – Monday 7 August 2023
Colombia v Jamaica – Tuesday 8 August 2023
France v Morocco – Tuesday 8 August 2023
