Nigeria’s national women’s team, Super Falcons, has achieved a historic milestone in the 2023 Women’s World Cup, becoming the first African team to advance to the knockout phase.
Securing their place in the Round of 16, they achieved this feat after playing a goalless draw against their Group B rivals, the Republic of Ireland, at the Brisbane Stadium.
Finishing in second place in Group B with 5 points, the Super Falcons earned their ticket to the Round of 16. In their match against Ireland, they displayed impressive performance, particularly in the first half, with Barcelona striker Oshoala finally breaking the deadlock and creating the best opportunity.
During the early minutes of the second half, the former African champions maintained dominance and came close to scoring, with Kanu’s header brilliantly saved by the Irish goalkeeper, followed by a rebound chance for Oshoala.
The draw secured Nigeria’s second position in Group B, leading them to qualify for the Round of 16 as runners-up, with the host country Australia topping the group after a resounding 4-0 victory against Canada, recovering from their previous defeat against Nigeria.
Looking ahead to the Round of 16, the Super Falcons will face the winners of Group D, where England appears to be their likely opponent. The team’s exceptional performance has not only made history but also raised hopes for a promising journey in the knockout stages of the tournament.