Friday, 15 July 2022

African champions Nigeria reach ninth consecutive Women's World Cup

 


 Reigning African champions Nigeria qualified for a ninth Women's World Cup in a row when beating Cameroon 1-0 in the quarter-finals of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Casablanca.
Rasheedat Ajibade's 57th-minute header ensured Nigeria will meet hosts Morocco in Monday's late semi-final and that their Wafcon winning streak against Cameroon continues.
In Thursday's late game, South Africa sealed their return to the Women's World Cup after a narrow 1-0 win over Tunisia in the Moroccan capital Rabat.Jermaine Seopesenwe finished in expert fashion after 14 minutes but South Africa wasted good chances only to limp over the line after VAR checked a possible Tunisia penalty in stoppage time.
Rwandan referee Salima Mukansanga, who will referee at the men's World Cup this year and made history earlier this year when becoming the first woman to referee a men's Nations Cup match, pointed for a goal-kick, which VAR agreed with only after a nervy delay.
By then, South Africa - who will play Zambia in Monday's first semi-final - should have been out of sight with Noxolo Cesane the biggest culprit when blazing over after a fine Linda Motlhalo run just before the hour.
Banyana Banyana missed Thembi Kgatlana, the 2018 Wafcon top scorer ruled out of the tournament on Monday with injury, while Nigeria also made it through with their star player, Asisat Oshoala, set to play no further part.
Making their debuts, Morocco and Zambia will join Banyana Banyana, whose tournament bow came in 2019, and the Super Falcons in next year's 32-team finals in Australia and New Zealand.
Two more African sides could join them there, but will need to navigate a ten-team intercontinental play-off in New Zealand next February when the final three qualifiers will be decided.
Sunday's crunch repechage ties pit Senegal against Tunisia, in Casablanca, and Botswana against Cameroon, in Rabat.

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