The 2023 Women’s World cup kicks off Thursday 20 July until 20 August, with 32 teams ready to compete for the top prize in Women’s football.
The tournament hosted by Australia and New Zealand for the first time in history, has added eight slots to the previous 24 Nations participating and this opens up opportunities for new teams to reach at least, the knockout stages of the competition.
Without a doubt Top Nations like the USA who boast a record of four tournament wins -1992, 1999, 2015 and 2019- are considered favourites for the stellar prize, there’s a strong indication African nations are one’s to watch as well.
Morocco and Zambia are making their Women’s World Cup debut in 2023 as South Africa and Nigeria seek to restore their African pride in the Quadrennial tournament.
MOROCCO’S national team, the Atlas Lionesses, carry the weight of being the first women’s team from the Arab world to play on the World Cup stage.
Therefore they are bound to attract worldwide attention and one would hope their efforts would be inspired by those of their male counterparts at the 2022 World Cup who reached the Semi Finals stage.
The Atlas Lionesses will take on two-time champions Germany, Colombia and Korea Republic in Group H of the tournament.
Their star player is Rosella Ayane, the spark they need especially after bagging seven goals in 15 games since her senior international debut in 2021.
ZAMBIA as well are hoping to make a big impact as they appear at this elite tournament for the first time.
Led by star striker Barbra Banda who became the first woman to score back to back hat-tricks at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, Zambia will be looking to sting their opponents especially after their shocking win over Germany ahead of the 2023 World Cup.
Zambia’s opponents include the 2011 World Cup champions Japan, Costa Rica and Spain in Group C.
SOUTH AFRICA have become a powerful force in African women’s football with the team sparking headlines after winning the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, their first major title.
Despite refusing to play their final World Cup warm-up match against Botswana over a pay dispute, the team boasts of a youthful squad that consists of players who ply their trade in their home country and are in their peak years or have a certain youthful exuberance.
South Africa will be led by their star player Thembi Kgatlana who scored the Country’s first – and so far only – goal on the World Cup stage when she put Banyana Banyana ahead against Spain in 2019.
South Africa square it out alongside Argentina, Italy and Sweden in Group G of the tournament.
NIGERIA have been to the World Cup ever since its inaugural edition in 1991.
Their best results were reaching the quarter-final in 1999 and qualifying for the second round in 2019.
The most experienced of the lot are scheduled to play co-hosts Australia, as well as Canada and debutants Ireland.
Nigeria -in group B alongside hosts Australia, Canada and Ireland -will be led by their star player Asisat Oshoala who has a record of success wherever she’s played.
She is a five-time winner of the African Women’s Footballer of the Year award and scored in both the 2015 and 2019 World Cups.
