Women's World Cup 2023: The Africans to watch

By Alasdair Howarth
Football writer

18 July 2023


Ghizlane Chebbak, Refiloe Jane, Asisat Oshoala and Barbra Banda are Africans to watch at the Women's World Cup

The Women's World Cup gets underway on 20 July, when both co-hosts - Australia and New Zealand - play their opening games.

Africa will field four teams at the finals for the first time, after world governing body Fifa expanded the tournament from 24 to 32 teams.

Reigning continental champions South Africa will be joined by Nigeria, who boast nine African titles, and World Cup debutants Morocco and Zambia at the month-long tournament which ends on 20 August.

Ahead of an event where Africa has yet to break the quarter-final barrier, BBC Sport Africa profiles four key players for the continent's representatives.

Asisat Oshoala - Nigeria


Asisat Oshoala has been a key figure for Barcelona in recent years, topping 20 goals in each of the past four seasons

There is no player bigger in African women's football than Oshoala - and for good reason.

After exploding onto the international scene in 2014 when she was top scorer and best player at the Under-20 World Cup, Oshoala has consistently been one of the continent's top players.

Having won three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), and been player of the tournament at two of them, she has also scored at both the 2015 and 2019 World Cups.

If she nets in this edition, she will become the first African to score at three Women's World Cups and may well add a record-extending sixth African Women's Footballer of the Year award to her growing trophy cabinet.

The Barcelona star comes into the World Cup after a fourth successive season hitting over 20 goals and a second straight year as top scorer for the reigning European champions.

On her day, very few defenders can cope with Oshoala, given she is the complete forward able to dominate with her strength and pace, but it's her intelligent movement both on and off the ball that makes her stand out.

Ruled out of last year's Wafcon with a knee injury picked up in the opening match, she missed May's Champions League final triumph with a hamstring injury as Barca defeated Wolfsburg, so Nigerians will hope she stays fit.

Barbra Banda - Zambia


After missing the 2022 Wafcon due to a gender eligibility row, Banda bounced back with 10 goals in five games for Zambia

Another who missed Wafcon, 23-year-old Banda is one of the most exciting talents in Africa.

The striker shocked the world in 2021 when scoring back-to-back hat-tricks at the Olympics - the first player to do so in the event's long history - prior to Zambia's group stage exit.

Yet Banda's development stalled last year when she was ruled out of Wafcon - on the eve of the tournament - after a gender eligibility row.

Despite the setback, captain Banda showed her impressive leadership skills and stayed in Morocco to lead her team to an historic third-place finish from the sidelines.

Fortunately for Banda and Zambia, she has since been given the green light to play and returned with frightening ease, scoring 10 goals in five games during September's Cosafa Cup.

As debutants, Zambia are likely to play defensively and counter-attack, and in Banda, whose searing pace can leave centre-backs for dust, they have one of the best in the business at playing on the break.

Having struck up a partnership with Racheal Kundananji, who bagged 25 goals in the Spanish top flight last season, the pair could form one of the most lethal attacks in Australia and New Zealand.

Refiloe Jane - South Africa


Refiloe Jane holds the Women's Africa Cup of Nations aloft alongside Janine van Wyk

Jane is perhaps this list's most understated player, but arguably the most important to her team given the diminutive midfielder is the heartbeat of the African champions.

Central to the type of football that coach Desiree Ellis wants to play, Jane is a deep-lying playmaker for Banyana Banyana.

Sitting in front of the defence, she has a terrific passing range and controls the tempo of matches from deep, allowing South Africa's attacking talent to flourish.

Having made her competitive debut at the 2012 Olympics, Jane has featured for South Africa in every major tournament since, racking up over 100 caps.

Last year, she stepped up to co-captaining the side alongside long-time skipper Janine van Wyk - leading the side to its first Wafcon title against Morocco - but will now be the sole captain with Van Wyk out injured.

It will be a familiar return to Australia, where Jane signed her first professional contract with W League side Canberra United in 2019 before moving to Italy where she now plays for Sassuolo (after a spell with Milan).

While she is unlikely to score many goals or grab any headlines, Jane will be central to South Africa's hopes as they contest the tournament for the second time.

Ghizlane Chebbak - Morocco


Captain Ghizlane Chebbak led Morocco on their historic run to the 2022 Wafcon final, helping to clinch World Cup qualification

While South Africa and Nigeria dominated headlines at last year's Wafcon, hosts Morocco truly shocked the world as they reached their first final - with Ghizlane Chebbak the star of the show.

The daughter of former men's international Larbi Chebbak, a Cup of Nations winner in 1976, Ghizlane captained the Atlas Lionesses in their first appearance at the tournament for 20 years, a run which led to their first World Cup qualification.

Leading from the front, Chebbak ended Wafcon as both joint top scorer and player of the tournament.

Despite being a midfielder, Chebbak is a natural goalscorer. Already her country's record scorer, she recently notched up a fifth season topping the scoring charts in Morocco's top division, where she has won ten straight titles with AS FAR.

In November, she led the club to their first African Champions League title, beating holders Mamelodi Sundowns in the final.

Chebbak is also a superb set-piece specialist, and whether it be a free-kick, corner or penalty, she rarely gets her delivery wrong, something which may prove invaluable for the debutants.

Often played as a number 10 or in a midfield three, Chebbak is the Atlas Lionesses' creative hub, with everything passing through her.

While she may not possess tremendous pace, her technique and decision-making in the final third make her shine.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/66123447


Picture 1) Nigeria's group fixtures (all times are Nigerian time).

Picture 2 and 3) Onome Ebi and other players that have played at the most world cups.

Picture 4) Super Falcons squad numbers.

Five players to watch at FIFA Women’s World Cup

The top women’s footballers on the planet will be in action when the World Cup kicks off on Thursday in Australia and New Zealand.

Below is a list of the five players to watch:

– Alexia Putellas (Spain) –

The 29-year-old attacking midfielder is considered by many to be the best women’s footballer in the world.

Winner of the Women’s Ballon d’Or in each of the last two years, in February she retained her crown as The Best FIFA’s Women’s Player for 2022, despite missing the second half of the year with a serious knee injury.

Barcelona star Putellas is the first woman to reach 100 caps for Spain and they badly missed her creativity and goals at the 2022 European Championship, where they lost to eventual champions England in the quarter-finals.

Putellas was among the Spanish players demanding change within the national side but did not join in with 15 players who last year asked not to be called up, amid differences with coach Jorge Vilda and the Spanish football federation.

– Sam Kerr (Australia) –

If the co-hosts are to go far at the World Cup they will need Chelsea forward Kerr firing on all cylinders.

The 29-year-old Australia skipper made her international debut aged just 15 and has played over 120 times for her country, averaging a goal every other game. She scored five times at the 2019 World Cup.

Her numbers are just as impressive at Chelsea, hitting 29 goals in 38 appearances this season.

Kerr is such a big name at home that she was Australia’s flag-bearer at the coronation of King Charles.

– Megan Rapinoe (United States) –

She needs little introduction as the most instantly recognisable player in women’s football.

The attacker has played 199 times for the United States, scoring 63 goals and making 73 assists. She has won the World Cup twice. Now Rapinoe plays in the United States for OL Reign.


She is set for retirement at the end of this season and is something of a fading force at 38, but she remains the face of women’s football for the casual fan.

Off the field, the openly gay Rapinoe is outspoken on a number of issues that go beyond sports, including advocating for LGBTQ rights.

– Keira Walsh (England) –

England’s hopes of winning the World Cup for the first time have taken a hit with the injury loss of several key players, putting even more onus on midfielder Walsh.

Barcelona snapped her up from Manchester City for a reported 400,000 pounds ($508,000) last September, a world record for a woman footballer.

With her passing, reading of the game and ability to win the ball back, Walsh was instrumental in Sarina Wiegman’s England winning the Euro on home soil in 2022.

She was named player of the match when England defeated Germany 2-1 in the final at Wembley in extra time.

– Ada Hegerberg (Norway) –

The Norwegian was the first winner of the Women’s Ballon d’Or, in 2018, and is a prolific striker with leading French side Lyon.

Her Norway career has been stop-start, however. She withdrew from the international scene in 2017, citing concerns over the inequality of treatment given to men’s and women’s teams by the Norwegian federation. She only returned last year.

The 28-year-old forward has also been dogged by injuries.

But when on form and firing she is one of the best players in the world, and averages more than a goal a game for her club.

She is the all-time top scorer in the UEFA Women’s Champions League with 59 goals.

AFP

https://punchng.com/five-players-to-watch-at-fifa-womens-world-cup/


Picture 1) First group games (all times are Nigerian time).

Picture 2) Samantha Kerr (Sammy K) of Chelsea and Australia.

Picture 3) Alexia Putellas (Alexia) of Barcelona and Spain.

Picture 4) Megan Rapinoe of OL Reign and the United States.

Women's World Cup 2023: Tournament in Australia and New Zealand to get under way

By Neil Johnston
BBC Sport in Auckland
19 July 2023

The waiting is almost over. The biggest Fifa Women's World Cup - featuring European champions England and debutants the Republic of Ireland - will finally get under way on Thursday.

Australia and New Zealand are co-hosting the ninth edition, which for the first time will feature 32 nations including defending world champions the United States.

It is the first Women's World Cup with two co-hosts.

New Zealand launch the tournament against Norway at Eden Park (08:00 BST kick-off) before Australia play the Republic of Ireland at Stadium Australia, Sydney, on the same day (11:00 kick-off).

But what should have been a day of celebration of women's sport was overshadowed by an early morning shooting in Auckland, which left two people plus the gunman dead, and six others injured.

Supporters getting ready to head to a fan park near the waterfront, which was close to the incident, expressed their shock and sadness at the news.

Fifa said the tournament would proceed as normal and organisers hope the opening two games will attract an aggregate crowd of 100,000 fans.

It is on course to be the most-watched Women's World Cup, with more than 1.3 million tickets bought in advance for the 64 matches at 10 venues across nine cities.

Organisers are targeting a record two billion television viewers for the 2023 edition, a figure that would double the audience that watched the 2019 World Cup in France.

"The future is women. Thanks to the fans for supporting what will be the greatest Fifa Women's World Cup ever," said Fifa president Gianni Infantino.

As well as the Republic of Ireland, seven other nations are making their debuts at this World Cup - Vietnam, Zambia, Haiti, Morocco, Panama, the Philippines and Portugal.

While the United States - who are chasing a fifth world title - are the number one side in the world, Zambia lie 77th and are the lowest ranked team at the tournament.

The final takes place at Stadium Australia on 20 August (11:00 kick-off).

World Cup of firsts

This Women's World Cup has been labelled the biggest women's sports event ever to be staged. One thing is certain: the tournament will be huge in terms of showcasing - and growing - women's football around the world.

For the first time, Fifa will directly pay players at the Women's World Cup. Amounts increase for the deeper that teams progress, ranging from about £24,000 per player for the group stage to just over £200,000 allotted to each champion.

These are significant sums at a time when the average salary in the women's game worldwide is £11,000, according to last year's Fifa benchmarking report. Overall prize money has increased from £23m in 2019 to £84m.

In another first, referees will announce the reasoning for video assistant referee (VAR) decisions to fans in stadiums and television audiences via a microphone and loudspeakers.

As at the men's World Cup in Qatar last year, referees are also encouraged to stop time-wasting, so added time is likely to be lengthy while long goal celebrations will also extend stoppages.

Meanwhile, captains will be permitted to wear armbands with messages about inclusion, gender equality and peace after rainbow armbands were not allowed at the men's tournament last year.

None of the eight available armbands, however, explicitly advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion.

Who will win this Women's World Cup?


The last time the United States lost a World Cup game was in 2011 when they were defeated on penalties by Japan in the final in Frankfurt, Germany.

Since then they have won 13 out of 14 on the global stage and they head into this edition chasing a record third successive success following triumphs in 2015 and 2019.

However, boss Jill Ellis has stepped down since guiding the Stars and Stripes to World Cup glory in France in 2019, while two-time World Cup and Olympic gold medal winner Carli Lloyd has ended her international career.

With 14 of the 23 players appearing at their first World Cup, and Megan Rapinoe - regarded as a genuine American icon - announcing this will be her fourth and final World Cup, will there be a changing of the guard at the top of women's football?

England's unforgettable Euro 2022 success has rightly placed them in conversations when it comes to predicting World Cup favourites.

However, injuries have hit hard and the Lionesses are without several key players including Beth Mead, who was named Euro 2022's best player and won the Golden Boot award given to the tournament's top scorer.

Spain have the best women's player in the world in Alexia Putellas, while two-time winners Germany have a strong and experienced squad.

France are led by experienced manager Herve Renard, while co-hosts Australia will be backed by large crowds and have Chelsea's prolific forward Sam Kerr.


Controversial build-up

Olympic champions Canada are also hoping to go deep in the tournament, but they are one of several nations whose World Cup preparations have been disrupted by domestic issues.

Spain and France have also made headlines in recent months as rows between players and federations have escalated, although France's issues appear to have been resolved with the appointment of Renard.

Jamaica - and even Nigeria's head coach - have taken action or called out their federations over issues such as pay, resources and personnel.

England's players are frustrated with the Football Association over its stance on performance-related bonuses.

Meanwhile, the South Africa squad selected by coach Desiree Ellis did not participate in their final warm-up fixture on home soil before leaving for the World Cup, meaning a back-up team, which included a 13-year-old girl, was hastily assembled to face Botswana in order to avoid a fine.

Six World Cups and counting

With 32 teams at this edition, - up from 24 in 2019 and 16 as recently as 2011 - there are 736 players at this World Cup.

Three of those players are appearing at the tournament for a sixth time - Marta (Brazil), Onome Ebi (Nigeria) and Christine Sinclair (Canada).

Having turned 40 in May, defender Ebi is the oldest player in Australia and New Zealand.

But she still trails Brazil's Formiga, who holds the record as the oldest player to take part in the competition at 41 years and 112 days in 2019.

Meanwhile, there are a number of players who are barely out of high school.

South Korea's Casey Phair, 16, will become the youngest ever player at a Women's World Cup if she appears in either of her country's first two group matches against Colombia or Morocco.

A growing injury list

The United States, Netherlands, England, France and Canada are among the nations who will be without key players due to injury.

As well as captain Becky Sauerbrunn (foot), the United States' injury list includes forward Mallory Swanson (torn patellar tendon), midfielder Sam Mewis (knee) and forward Christen Press (knee).

Vivianne Miedema, the all-time Netherlands leading scorer, is out with anterior cruciate ligament damage - the same injury that has prevented England's Leah Williamson and Mead from taking part.

Attacking midfielder Fran Kirby (knee) is also missing for the Lionesses.

France are deprived of midfielder Amandine Henry (calf), five-time Champions League winner Delphine Cascarino (ACL) and striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto (ACL).

Another player ruled out because of an ACL injury is Canada forward Janine Beckie.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66132739

All the groups (all times are local [Australia and New Zealand] times)

All the groups (all times are local [Australia and New Zealand] times)

All matches will be live on Supersport.

Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema were asked to make their world cup predictions, but they can't pick any player from their national teams.

These were Miedema's picks:

Highest goal scorer: Sam Kerr

Highest assist provider: Caitlin Foord

Fastest player: Barbara Banda.


https://twitter.com/ArsenalWFC/status/1681748429070909441?t=FyoqOm4CeofZi8uDwVrB8Q&s=19

Go Falcons.......Up Superfalcons.


Pls dont let us down like our Super Chicken.s

This cup belong to USA. Those ladies can ball.

Noted!



Team Nigeria

Even though I'm a hardcore football fan, I will rather watch Women's water polo

Go naija

As a Nigerian, I'm rooting for Naija.

BUT there WAS always this drabness about female football, no matter how competitive. There was this sort of tuning down in pace, physicality and intuitiveness that seemed to rub off the excitement for me.

Maybe tis better now. It's been a while I last saw a female match.

Germany

Damnnn niggar
I think say this cup don start since then

Who dey watch female world cup?

I see the super falcons reaching at least the semi finals.

This is certain!

Op U just collect all the whole front page,
U no even give space for first to comment

Attendance: Present ✔️
Football? Nah!
Women's football? Hell No!!!
In short I'm outta here...

Good luck to all the participating teams.

So make wetin we do now

Zee0007:
This cup belong to USA. Those ladies can ball.

No Bwana this cup belong to South Africa. Cos our SiSi Ladies know how to Guwarad ball very well, remember what they did Nigeria Falcons that's what they will do USA

This gender

Chai niaja game 3 in the morning.... Funny enough women's world cup games are interesting.... Just natural bias it suffers

Nice

Wittyness

Nigeria abeg win this cup abeg, or at least any other African team should win it am tired of these white dominance over us in everything.hhaaha are we living in their world.

T

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lffxO1DzDoc?

Incredible goal from the Cameroonian.

F.football have really come of age

All the very best to the African teams