Despite making their debut at the women’s World Cup, Atlas Lionesses of Morocco have qualified for the round of 16 after beating Colombia 1-0 in their final Group H game on Thursday.
Morocco finished second on six points behind Colombia who also recorded six points.
The North Africans now join Nigeria’s Super Falcons and Banyana Banyana of South Africa in the knockout stage.
The shock of the group was two-time women’s World Cup winner Germany who crashed out after being held to a 1-1 draw by South Korea.
Also read: 2023 Women’s AfroBasket: D’Tigress Outclass Hosts Rwanda To Reach 4th Straight Final
Germany needed an outright win against South Korea but could not find the decisive winning goal hence crashed out at the group stage for the first time ever.
After edging South Korea 1-0 in their second group game, Morocco secured the same scoreline against Colombia thanks to Anissa Lahmari.
The forward pounced on a pass after Ghizlane Chebbak initially saw her penalty saved by the Colombian keeper.
Morocco will now take on France in the round of 16 on Tuesday, August 8.
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14 Comments
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
How are the mighty fallen……Tell it not in Berlin, Publish it not in the streets of Dublin lets the daughters of Munich be……..
This is absolutely the greatest shocker of this year’s world seeing Germany crash out of the group stage.
Morocco, forgive me for judging you quickly. Oh, to hell with FIFA ranking. I saw this on X:
Germany (2nd)
Canada (7th)
Brazil (8th)
China (14th)
Italy (16th)
Korea Republic (17th)
5 Top 20 ranked sides all out in the group stage.
Morocco (72nd)
South Africa (54th)
Jamaica (43rd)
Nigeria (40th)
All through to the second round.
Now, it is Europe versus Africa in R16 (not the other way round lol)
Netherlands vs South Africa
England vs Nigeria
France vs Morocco
Ah ah. Can’t even Africa pull an upset again. I no dey predict women football again.
Italy, just win SA to reach R16. No.
Germany, beat whipping girls Korea and qualify, no.
Two wonderful WC for Africa in one year. Nigeria almost blew women’s hope in WAFCON sit out in quarter finals.
But no hype Nigeria girls again with 2 clean sheets. Morocco did so with Africa’s highest points ever (6).
Hopefully, come Sunday, Monday and Tuesday next week, we annihilate our “mentors”
Nigeria’s achievements at The Women’s World Cup tournament pales in comparison to that of debutant Morocco’s.
We have been to these tournaments too many times that we should be doing much better.
Our lack of success in these things has been down to the rotten rulers we have. They are holding us back in many ways.
We’ll never be able to reach our full potentials in any field if we don’t get it right domestically.
Incredible that Germany failed to beat the Koreans. But Morocco handled their business, and now they are in the next round.
In my opinion, it’s unfair to compare our team’s achievement with theirs. The Moroccans have the full support of their football federation. Our ladies are out there fighting on their own, against their opponents and also against their own federation, NFF ONIGBESE. The distraction of unpaid coaches salaries and players bonuses was enough to completely derail their entire world cup campaign. Yet our ladies have stuck it out, and have qualified out of a tough group. I think their achievement shines just as bright as the Moroccans. Perhaps even more. Because they had to defeat the NFF to get where they are now.
The so called upressed women have defeated the feminist nations, them beat freedom for their body
@Pompei, you are a gentle man and a scholar, I could tell. And I mean it. You and @AYPhillydegreat are among the truly knowledgeable contributors on this forum. Your point here is well-taken.
Still, I believe that Morocco’s feat at this ongoing Women’s World Cup is epic, given that this is their first ever appearance on this kind of stage, their first match in which they were thumped 6-0, their FIFA ranking etc. By the way, with all due respect, I would prefer to play Australia, anywhere, any day, anytime than play Germany at any level of international soccer, even of neutral ground.
Digressing a bit, personally, I would prefer to not qualify for back-to-back African Nations Cup, then win it the next time than coming home with bronze medal which the likes of the late Kunle Awesu and the late Ogidi Ibeabuchi won for us in Ethiopia back in 1976.
Looking back, not to disparage our women’s team and their massive achievement so far given all the upheavals that trailed their preparations, but think Jamaica, here. They were in more dire situation comparatively, coming into this tournament. Look who they sent home early and that was a head to head match in which mighty Brazil knew exactly what they needed to do going in.
Morocco deserves all the plaudits!
Tony, thanks for the compliment. I also enjoy reading your posts. Well worded and meaningful.
We both agree that Morocco deserve plaudits for their incredible feat. No argument there.
To obtain 2 wins back to back after the 6 nil wotowoto they collected in their first match speaks to their mental fortitude.
As I mentioned earlier, they were also very fortunate. Colombia missed soooo many chances. Even their biggest star and contender for player of the tournament Linda Caicedo missed a sitter right inside the 6 yard box! If any of those chances had been converted, Morocco would be home bound. Additionally, the Germany-Korea game also went in their favour. It was almost uncanny watching Germany miss chance after chance against the Koreans. They even had the ball in the net once, but it was disallowed for offside. Take nothing away from the Moroccans, but the fact is in addition to their own efforts, they were incredibly fortunate.
It’s true that the Jamaicans had problems coming into the tournament. However, it appears that their federation was genuinely cash strapped. The Jamaica coach said the officials worked tirelessly to provide what little they could for the team. It was barely enough, but they did their best. SO THE JAMAICA LADIES HAD THE SUPPORT OF THEIR FEDERATION COMING INTO THE TOURNAMENT.
Our federation was busy fighting with a team they should be helping over money.
So the way I see it, Morocco and Jamaica have done well with the help of their administrators. The Nigeria team did not have that luxury, which is why I rate their achievement very highly indeed.
I understand all sentiments above but let’s be real – Of all the situations/problems that anyone in this tournament (and by anyone), I mean any African Nation or any “underdog” nation has faced, England are a completely different kettle of fish Oh- let’s not mince any words here, and yet having said that I am still not saying that it is impossible before some challenged individuals rear their inverted heads- however my point remains that England are a whole other level of problem oh, simply because there seems to be something very different going on right now with them, something that If I were a betting man, we may not see again – at least not in a little while, so let it register that our girls’ task is monumental especially at this stage of the competition –
England have some very dangerous players right now from front to back, at least 5 or 6 that are a VERY big threat but I will pull only one up here for simplicity and that is – Lauren James, that girl is a big problem and worse still it’s not as simple as just saying mark her tight or double up on her because if you do that, you’re creating an opening for any of the other 4 or 5 – Russo, Kelly, Daly, Stanway, even their defense is something else – so Me personally I pray that we make it through but if we are to have any chance at all, our team line up and tactics must be absolutely on point! – and If things go south, I won’t be too despondent about it as long as we give it our best and most sensible shot and we learn from it going forward. Period!
On a side note – what is all this about Nigeria cutting Niger’s electricity supply and plunging them into darkness? – So many things about this does not add up – In the article, they claim that Niger hardly ever have blackouts and pretty much have 24/7 power as standard and that this cut by their “suppliers” Nigeria is something they are finding it most difficult to contend with?? lol! So I am thinking either there must be a mistake or the person who wrote that article is on some strong hallucinogenic drugs because that story cannot be correct ke?
Abi is it possible that a country like 9ja where we never have any electric power is indeed the supplier of a whole other country who apparently never suffer any outages? ‘Ol boy this cannot be o because if it is then even more alarm bells must start ringing immediately! Chaii!
I’m as surprised as you are with the power supply situation but as for the NGR-ENG match I still strongly believe that for us to win it’ll take an otherworldly effort to beat that team and yeah it’s possible. when I posted my take last night some mistook it for fear,it’s not fear it’s being realistic.glad to see another realistic fan express his concerns here.
I hear you loud and clear – there are far too many strange people with strange views who exhibit strange behaviours and unbelievable reactions to other people’s views on this site – Nigerians (at least many of the ones I have encountered on this site) are anomalous to put it lightly – I really despair at some of the stuff I read and encounter on here on a daily basis – It is as if many do not understand that we live in a free and democratic society where every person is entitled to their own opinion, but we all have different backgrounds and experiences and so we cannot all have the same views about everything and therefore must differ as a matter of fact in many things – If one does not agree with their own particular views – one cannot say so for fear of entering into a full blooded war of words with curses and very nasty and disrespectful ramifications, and if they disagree with yours, they come in with very vicious and malicious attacks, calling you a hater and cursing out you and your family and wishing really horrible things happen to you – I mean, no wonder Nigerians are so hated around the world and even especially in Africa – and it’s the minority who are giving the majority a really bad rep, because I do not know any other collection of people who display these nasty traits on such a widespread scale and it just seems like this site is totally over represented with these types of characters – I mean even I hate these types of Nigerians and I myself am a Nigerian!
But anyway before I digress too much, I agree that we need to be realistic and say things as they are – this does not mean we are scared, or cowards or stupid or fools or anything like that, it just makes us realists and I would rather be a realist than an overconfident buffoon – A wise man once said “fail to plan is plan to fail” We can’t just make empty boasts without having some sort of plan in place and we cannot simply go on sentimentality or trend or think that because somebody else did something that gives us any God given right to be able to do the same – especially when we are not them, they are not us and the challenge we face is completely different to the challenge they faced. I hope and pray to God that Oga Waldrum is not like that but that he is also a realist who believes in planning and strategising intelligently in order to try and attain a set goal.
Oya, roll on Monday!
Ire o!
God bless us one and all!
it is grossly unfair to compare Super Falcon previous participation to that of the Moroccans.The female game have evolved greatly.Then, it was just a bunch of local base amateurish players with a local coach that normally showed up at world cup for Nigeria.They got deservedly walloped each time.But as some of our ladies began moving abroad to the Scandinavian countries who were the initial power house in female football then, things begin to change gradually.Contrast it with the Moroccan team whose players are 80% despora from the dutch, French , Spanish and Belgian leagues just like their male team.Their coach is a 3 times back to back champion league winner with Lyon.Comparing the coach with our Uche Eucharia, Ismaila Mabo(rip), the experience and the exposure of the players on debut coupled with the organization of their FA, Baba, you will never compare the two teams through the years.
The England match is a 50/50 thing.If we allow them to play their game and imposed themselves on us. I read some analysis from the ex players and experts and they were all very cautious.
The balance of power in the female game have changed that is why the top ranked teams are out.US will join them next Sunday.They have been struggling.Im come the African and Carribean teams.O was so impressed with the Haiti and Panama teams.Watch out for them in the next world cup.Jamaica also did very well holding France and Brazil to draws.They lost all their matches at the last world cup but obviously learnt some valuable lessons.
The head of female football in Nigeria Aisha Falode was on a phone in program from Australia this morning and was insisting vehemently that Fifa will pay the girls money through the NFF.You can see their mindset.I think we should write a letter to Fifa from this platform urging them to stick to their original plans.Dr Drey, Deo, Pompeii can you assist?
it is grossly unfair to compare Super Falcon previous participation to that of the Moroccans.The female game have evolved greatly.Then, it was just a bunch of local base amateurish players with a local coach that normally showed up at world cup for Nigeria.They got deservedly walloped each time.But as some of our ladies began moving abroad to the Scandinavian countries who were the initial power house in female football then, things begin to change gradually.Contrast it with the Moroccan team whose players are 80% despora from the dutch, French , Spanish and Belgian leagues just like their male team.Their coach is a 3 times back to back champion league winner with Lyon.Comparing the coach with our Uche Eucharia, Ismaila Mabo(rip), the experience and the exposure of the players on debut coupled with the organization of their FA, Baba, you will never compare the two teams through the years.
The England match is a 50/50 thing.If we allow them to play their game and imposed themselves on us we are finished. I read some analysis from their ex players and experts and they were all very cautious.
The balance of power in the female game have changed that is why the top ranked teams are out.US will join them next Sunday.They have been struggling.In come the African and Carribean teams.I was so impressed with the Haiti and Panama teams.Watch out for them in the next world cup.Jamaica also did very well holding France and Brazil to draws.They lost all their matches at the last world cup but obviously learnt some valuable lessons.
The head of female football in Nigeria Aisha Falode was on a phone in program from Australia this morning and was insisting vehemently that Fifa will pay the girls money through the NFF.You can see their mindset.I think we should write a letter to Fifa from this platform urging them to stick to their original plans.Dr Drey, Deo, Pompeii can you assist?
Are you making any sense at all??? Local coaches that has won Multiple WAFCON and made it to World Cup KO and you’re talking them down with this Waldrum team. After England game I will be searching for you to come and hype nonsense.