Africa have three of their four Women’s World Cup representatives still in the mix at the tournament in Australia and New Zealand, which on Sunday saw a historic first win for Morocco.
The group phase has moved into its final round and this week will see Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa all looking for positive results to propel them past the first round and into the group phase.
Zambia, however, are already eliminated after conceding 10 goals in their opening two games and complete their programme against Costa Rica in Hamilton on Monday with only pride at stake.
Nigeria are best set as they take on already-eliminated Ireland on Monday, having produced the biggest upset of tournament when they beat co-hosts Australia.
The 3-2 victory propelled the Super Falcons to top place in Group B, ahead of Canada on goal scored, and they need only draw to advance.
Nigeria have played in all eight previous editions of the Women’s World Cup but only twice advanced past the group phase, but this time are handily placed.
However, coach Randy Waldrum has warned them not to be overconfident. "It is going to be a very difficult game. People may think I am crazy for saying this, but I think it could be our hardest match. Ireland have been a bit unlucky in the first two matches and could have got a result," he said on Sunday, on the eve of the clash in Brisbane.
Top place in the group would see Nigeria go onto Sydney to take the runners-up in Group D, likely Denmark. If they finish second in the group they will stay in Brisbane.
Banyana Banyana must win their last match against Italy to advance from Group G on Wednesday. They return to Wellington where they narrowly lost their opening game to Sweden, who went onto thrash Italy 5-0.
That could work to South Africa’s benefit, as they will meet a chastened opponent, but Banyana will need to concentrate more on themselves.
They made many mistakes again in their last game, where they let slip a two-goal lead to be 2-2 by Argentina in Dunedin.
Star striker Thembi Kgatlana missed a horror sitter that could have won them the game and for a second successive game they panicked near the finish and threw away an advantageous position.
"It is about taking our chances. That's the problem, we don't take them, it comes back at us every time,” said a despairing coach Desire Ellis.
“If we had taken our chances, we would have had a different conversation. It is fantastic we got our first point but three would have been better. It's like you hand me a chocolate and then take it away … and I love chocolate."
Morocco’s chances depend solely on beating the impressive Colombia in Perth on Thursday, which will be a difficult task.
But they will be full of confidence after beating South Korea 1-0 in Brisbane on Sunday for their first ever World Cup points.
“We have the same sense of determination and motivation, that this is a dream that’s going to come true, as with the Qatar World Cup, where the men were able to make history,” Morocco captain Ghizlane Chebbak said. “We hope we can replicate the same achievements of the men’s team.”
Morocco’s men were semifinalists last December at the men’s final – the first African and Arab country to reach the last four.
){kind=link}
