The last two African places at next year’s Women’s World Cup will be decided on Thursday as all three protagonists from the last tournament in France in 2019 look to book grab a ticket.
Nigeria, who have been to all previous World Cups, take on Cameroon in Casablanca in a tough quarterfinal match at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament, followed by South Africa against Tunisia in Rabat.
The top four finishers at Wafcon in Morocco qualify for 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, with Morocco/Botswana and Zambia both going to the finals for the first time after success on Wednesday.
Cameroon have competed at the last two World Cups in Canada in 2015 and France four years after that.
Nigeria and the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon have met six times in Wafcon history with two draws, three victories for the Super Falcons and only one victory for Cameroon.
“You know before in the somewhat distant past, there was a big gap between Nigeria and Cameroon and over time this gap has narrowed,” said Cameroon coach Gabriel Zabo.
“This means that Cameroon is progressing in the right direction. That means it's time for us, isn't it, to break this hoodoo, to tell the Nigerians that ‘your time has passed’ and it maybe Cameroon must go ahead of them. It is in this sense that we are going to approach the match. Cameroon wants to go to the World Cup, and we have to beat Nigeria,” he added.
Banyana Banyana, who won all their group games, take on Tunisia, who are competing at only their second Wafcon.
South Africa were dealt a huge blow when they lost star player Thembi Kgatlana for the remainder of the tournament following a ruptured Achilles sustained in the 1-0 win over Botswana on Sunday.
Kgatlana is likely to be sidelined for some time, putting her newly-signed contract with National Women’s Soccer League side Racing Louisville under threat. The predictions from the Banyana medical team is that she will face a minimum of six months out.
Her explosive pace and ability to run at defenders is a huge weapon for Banyana and there is no doubt one of their major threats is now gone.
“I know Thembi is a top player, but it’s also an opportunity for other players to step up. Nigeria have also lost players such as Asisat Oshoala and Botswana also lost their star player,” said Banyana boss Desiree Ellis
“Thembi also reminded the players the journey still continues and our first aim now is to qualify for the Fifa World Cup and that game is upon us. We selected a squad for every eventuality.
“We did not expect this setback and now the versatility of the squad will have to come through and the quality will have to show. What I saw at Tuesday’s training was very encouraging,” added coach Ellis.