By Victor Kanayo
Both South Africa and the United States of America have exited the ongoing 2023 FIFA women’s World Cup.
This is after they lost in the round of 16 stage of the competition.
While the South African team lost 0-2 the Netherlands, reigning World Cup champions USA lost out to Sweden in another pulsating clash on Sunday.
How South Africa, USA Were Sent Packing
Sweden emerged winners 5-4 on penalties shootout after 120 minutes of football ended goalless.
While goals in each half from Jill Roord and Lineth Beerensteyn was enough to send Netherlands into the quarter-finals.
Roord opened the scoring in the ninth minute before Beerensteyn doubled the lead in the 68th minute.
It was South Africa’s first qualification into the round of 16 in their second appearance at the women’s World Cup.
Falcons vs Lionesses
Meanwhile, European champions Three Lionesses of England and nine-time Africans champions Nigeria’s Super Falcons will clash in the last 16 match.
Already, the Super Falcons are targeting to revenge the 3-2 loss they suffered in the hands of England at the 1995 World Cup.
It was the only loss the Nigerian women recorded against The Three Lionesses as the Africans have since gone on to beat them twice in friendly matches in England.
To get to the knockout stage, the Randy Waldrum-led side finished second in Group B behind Australia and ahead of Olympic champions Canada and debutant Republic of Ireland.
After holding Canada to a goalless draw, the Super Falcons shocked Australia 3-2 before settling for another goalless draw with Ireland.
For England, it was three wins out of three in Group D which had 1999 World Cup runners-up China, Denmark and Haiti.
The winner between Nigeria and England will take on Jamaica or Colombia in the quarter-finals.
