President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Dr. Patrice Motsepe, has called on the trio of Nigeria, South Africa and Morocco to win their round of 16 matches at the ongoing Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand for the continent.
Motsepe, who expressed delight at the qualification of the three teams—the first time three teams from Africa will achieve such feat—sent congratulatory messages to the teams and urged them to invoke the African spirit when they took on their opponents.
“CAF and the 54 African nations that are members of CAF congratulates the Women’s Teams of Nigeria, Morocco and South Africa for their historic and well-deserved qualification to the Round of 16 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023,” Mostepe said in the congratulatory messages.
“The Super Falcons, the Atlas Lionesses and Banyana Banyana have made the people of Nigeria, Morocco and South Africa, as well as the people of the rest of the African continent, very proud with their outstanding performances and hard-earned victories at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023.
“The future of Women’s football on the African Continent is bright.
“The victories and successes of the Nigerian, Moroccan and South African women’s teams will contribute significantly to the development and growth of women’s football in Africa.
“CAF wishes the Nigerian, Moroccan and South African women’s football teams everything of the best for their upcoming matches,” he said.
The Super Falcons of Nigeria advanced from Group B after finishing second with five points without losing a single game in the group stage.
Morocco, who are debutants at the women Mundial, pulled the greatest shock by qualifying from Group H which had Colombia, Korea, and Germany, finishing second behind Colombia which they defeated 1-0 in their final game.
South Africa also qualified for the second round for the first time as they finished second in Group G, finishing with four points.
While Nigeria will play England, South Africa will lock horns with the Netherlands, with Morocco taking on Spain.