Nigeria, South Africa, and Morocco booked their places in the round of 16 of the women’s football World Cup, as Germany, Brazil, and Canada packed their bags to head home after the group stages on 3 August 2023. That’s three of the top 10 teams from the Fifa world rankings out in the group stage, and the US is the only runners-up in their group. This is the first time three African teams have made it to the second round, which is an excellent indicator that the quality of the game is improving.
It’s encouraging to see how the expansion of the tournament from 24 to 32 nations has opened up opportunities for new teams to announce their presence on the world stage. African women’s football teams, among other non-traditional powerhouses like Colombia and Jamaica, have indeed shown up to unsettle any pre-tournament expectations.
Given that women’s football is a relatively new phenomenon in many African countries, the accomplishment of the women’s teams sends a powerful signal to their respective national federations, the Confederation of African Football, and governments that they deserve more attention and investment.
Indeed, women’s football could be an excellent avenue for African countries to earn global footballing recognition, just as it has been in age group competitions.
