It’s end of the road for Africa at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. This follow Tuesday’s exit by Morocco after a humiliating 0-4 defeat at the hands of France in the round-of-16 match.
Ironically, former Morocco men’s team coach Herve Renard is the one who led France’s women to the humiliation of their Moroccan counterparts on Tuesday, August 8.
Morocco were the only surviving nation out of the four representatives for Africa. A day earlier, Nigeria and South Africa crashed out the competition after losing to England and The Netherlands respectively.
Nigeria stretched England to the maximum in the 0-0 draw but lost 2-4 on penalties while South Africa, who are the reigning African champions, fell 0-2 to The Netherlands in the round-of-16 on Monday, August 7.
The other African representatives, Zambia, failed to make it of the group stages of the tournament.
It is the first time Africa has had as many representatives as four but the failure by any of them to reach the quarterfinal stage is a damning indictment on the continent.
Going into the quarterfinals, which kick off on Friday, August 11, Europe remains the dominant force with five out of the eight quarterfinals.
RESULTS: Morocco 0 France 4; Nigeria 0 (2) England 0 (4); South Africa 0 Netherlands 2
QUARTERFINAL LINEUP: Spain v The Netherlands; England v Colombia; France v Australia; Japan v Sweden