The 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup will officially start on Friday, July 21 in Australia and New Zealand, with Africa set to have four representatives.
Africa champions South Africa, Nigeria, Morocco, and Zambia will be carrying the continental flag, with the last two teams making their debut in the process.
No African team has ever made it past the quarter-final. The Super Falcons advanced to the last eight in the 1999 edition and hopefully, they can do better this time around.
Banyana, Atlas Lionesses and the Copper Queens will all be looking to make their mark in the showpiece.
GOAL provides a guide for African teams that will be taking part in the competition.
Nigeria
The Super Falcons are playing in the World Cup for the ninth time. They are the most experienced from Africa.
In this edition, the Nigerians have been put in Group B with Olympic champions Canada, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland.
They will start their campaign against Canada on Friday, July 21 at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium before tackling Australia six days later at the Brisbane Stadium.
The African heavyweights will then return to the same venue on July 31 to play the Republic of Ireland.
South Africa
Banyana Banyana are playing in the World Cup for just the second time. In this ninth edition, they have been placed in Group G.
The continental champions will be in action on July 23 against the 2003 finalists Sweden at the Wellington Regional Stadium. They will then make a trip to Dunedin Stadium to play Argentina four days later, before completing their group matches on August 2 at Wellington Stadium against Italy.
Morocco
The North Africans are making their debut in the competition having made it into the last four of the recent Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The Atlas Lionesses lost to Banyana Banyana in the final.
In their maiden World Cup assignment, the North Africans have a tough assignment in Group H. They will first face two-time champions Germany on July 24 at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium. Morocco’s second match will be at Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide on July 30 against Korea Republic.
Their final assignment will be facing Colombia at Perth Rectangular Stadium on August 3.
Zambia
In their maiden World Cup appearance, Zambia’s Copper Queens have been put in a tricky Group C.
They will have their first taste of the competition at the Waikato Stadium on July 22 before playing Spain four days later at Eden Park.
Zambia’s final assignment against Costa Rica will be at the Waikato Stadium on July 31.
African players to watch
Copper Queens are happy to have Barbra Banda back after the attacker missed out on the 2022 Wafcon. She will be the main player in Zambia’s attack.
Asisat Oshoala will be key for the Super Falcons’ hopes of performing well in the global event. Her experience against top European sides is a plus to the team.
2022 Awcon Champions South Africa are relieved to have their deadly attacker Thembi Kgatlana back. The experienced Kgatlana missed the latter stages of Wafcon owing to an injury.
The Atlas Lionesses have one Ghizlane Chebbak to rely on. The 32-year-old midfielder is their engine.
Source : Goal.com
