Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) defending Champions Nigeria, as well as Morocco, South Africa and Zambia have seal qualification to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand and Australia.
Holders Nigeria kept alive its hopes of retaining their WAFCON title after narrowly defeating rivals Cameroon 1-0 to reach the semi-finals, courtesy of a goal from Rasheedat Ajibade.
The Super Falcons also secured their place at the 2023 Women’s World Cup thanks to the victory at the Complexe Sportif Mohamed V stadium in Casablanca, Morocco.
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Rasheedat Ajibade’s header was enough for Nigeria to go through vs. Cameroon! #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 | #EmpoweringOurGame |@Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/whJiYMieVh
— #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 (@CAFwomen) July 14, 2022
Banyana Banyana of South Africa
South Africa also qualified for the semi-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after beating Tunisia 1-0 in Rabat.
Banyana Banyana also sealed qualification to the 2023 FIFA Women’s world Cup in Australia and New Zealand thanks to the victory at the Prince Moulay-El Hassan Stadium.
Jermaine Seoposenwe’s first half strike was enough to help Banyana Banyana win the match to reach the last four, and secure their second successive appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Atlas Lionesses of Morocco
The Atlas Lionesses of Morocco have turned a special page in their history books as they qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time after a pulsating night at a packed Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex.
A tense 2-1 win against Botswana secured their ticket to next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand on a day the Moroccan players will never forget.
The Atlas Lionesses celebrated their qualification on the pitch to the delight of the supporters and to the great pride of the President of the Royal Morocco Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa.
The Copper Queens of Zambia
The Copper Queens of Zambia made history when they secured their first World Cup qualification and their first semi-finals in the continental competition after seeing off West Africans Senegal in a tough contest.
Zambia beat Senegal 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time at the Complexe Sportif Mohamed V in Casablanca.
Zambia demonstrated their desire to win the match as coach Bruce Mwape made no changes to the impressive starting team that beat Togo in the last group game.
Cameroon, Tunisia, Senegal and Botswana still have the opportunity to qualify for the World Cup via playoffs.
Senegal will face Tunisia on Sunday, while Botswana will play Cameroon on the same day to decide the two teams that would join 8 teams from Confederations to jostle for the last 3 world cup slots for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
