All African teams will head into the Women’s World Cup as underdogs, but Nigeria have twice made the knockout rounds and will be out to prove they are still Africa’s dominant force.
The tournament in Australia and New Zealand (July 20 – August 20) will see four African representatives out of 32 participating teams, with Morocco and Zambia making their debuts, while Nigeria will be appearing for the ninth time and South Africa their second.
South Africa
Pros: South Africa have momentum behind them as African champions, having won the most recent Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Many of their players have vital overseas experience, which they can lean on during crucial Group G battles.
Refiloe Jane has played in Italy since 2019 (previously for AC Milan and currently Sassuolo) and will therefore be able to pass on insight about the Italian national team, which will likely largely consist of her familiar friends and adversaries at club level.
Likewise, Linda Motlhalo has experience playing in Sweden, who Banyana Banyana will also face, although they will likely pull on plenty of foreign-based talent.
In 2019, South Africa were new to life at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. This time, they are more experienced and coach Desiree Ellis has had more than enough time to leave her mark on the team, having been appointed as interim manager in 2016 and head coach in 2018.
