African teams have won hearts -- and plenty of points -- at the 2023 Women's World Cup. Nigeria, Zambia, South Africa, and Morocco [pictured] have all enjoyed unforgettable moments in Australia and New Zealand, <strong>scroll through the gallery to explore their tournaments so far. </strong>
African teams have won hearts -- and plenty of points -- at the 2023 Women's World Cup. Nigeria, Zambia, South Africa, and Morocco [pictured] have all enjoyed unforgettable moments in Australia and New Zealand, scroll through the gallery to explore their tournaments so far.
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Nigeria made a solid start to its World Cup campaign, holding Olympic champion Canada to a 0-0 draw thanks to some penalty saving heroics from goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Nigeria made a solid start to its World Cup campaign, holding Olympic champion Canada to a 0-0 draw thanks to some penalty saving heroics from goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
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The Super Falcons then <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F07%2F27%2Ffootball%2Fnigeria-australia-womens-world-cup-spt-intl%2Findex.html" target="_blank">stunned co-hosts Australia</a> in their second Group B game, as goals from Uchenna Kanu, Osinachi Ohale, and Asisat Oshoala [pictured] fired Nigeria to a thrilling 3-2 victory.
The Super Falcons then stunned co-hosts Australia in their second Group B game, as goals from Uchenna Kanu, Osinachi Ohale, and Asisat Oshoala [pictured] fired Nigeria to a thrilling 3-2 victory.
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It was a major scalp for Nigeria who, despite being the best FIFA-ranked African team at the tournament in 40th, sat 30 places below Australia in the rankings.
It was a major scalp for Nigeria who, despite being the best FIFA-ranked African team at the tournament in 40th, sat 30 places below Australia in the rankings.
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Defender Glory Ogbonna celebrates after a 0-0 draw against the Republic of Ireland in Nigeria's final group game clinched a second consecutive round of 16 appearance and a showdown with reigning European champions England.
Defender Glory Ogbonna celebrates after a 0-0 draw against the Republic of Ireland in Nigeria's final group game clinched a second consecutive round of 16 appearance and a showdown with reigning European champions England.
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It was a baptism of fire for Zambia on its Women's World Cup debut, suffering back-to-back 5-0 losses against Japan and Spain in their opening Group C matches.
It was a baptism of fire for Zambia on its Women's World Cup debut, suffering back-to-back 5-0 losses against Japan and Spain in their opening Group C matches.
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But the tournament's lowest ranked team (77th) bowed out in historic style, an injury-time goal from Racheal Kundananji <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F07%2F30%2Ffootball%2Fnigeria-canada-australia-womens-world-cup-spt-intl%2Findex.html" target="_blank">sealing a 3-1 victory over Costa Rica</a> and the country's first ever Women's World Cup win.
But the tournament's lowest ranked team (77th) bowed out in historic style, an injury-time goal from Racheal Kundananji sealing a 3-1 victory over Costa Rica and the country's first ever Women's World Cup win.
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Zambia's elimination was confirmed before kick-off, but that didn't put a dampener on celebrations of Lushomo Mweemba's opening goal -- the team's first ever at a Women's World Cup -- less than three minutes after kick-off.
Zambia's elimination was confirmed before kick-off, but that didn't put a dampener on celebrations of Lushomo Mweemba's opening goal -- the team's first ever at a Women's World Cup -- less than three minutes after kick-off.
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South Africa had been seconds away from a first ever Women's World Cup point in their opening Group G game against Sweden, but suffered late agony when Amanda Ilestedt headed home at the death to steal a 2-1 win.
South Africa had been seconds away from a first ever Women's World Cup point in their opening Group G game against Sweden, but suffered late agony when Amanda Ilestedt headed home at the death to steal a 2-1 win.
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Thembi Kgatlana looked to have put <em>Banyana Banyana</em> on track for a historic first victory when she put her side 2-0 ahead against Argentina, only for the South Americans to score twice in five second-half minutes to inflict more heartbreak.
Thembi Kgatlana looked to have put Banyana Banyana on track for a historic first victory when she put her side 2-0 ahead against Argentina, only for the South Americans to score twice in five second-half minutes to inflict more heartbreak.
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But it would be South Africa's turn to flip the script in its closing match against Italy. Needing to register a first ever World Cup win to stand a chance of qualifying, Kgatlana's injury-time winner clinched a <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F08%2F02%2Ffootball%2Fsweden-south-africa-italy-womens-world-cup-2023-spt-intl%2Findex.html" target="_blank">fairytale 3-2 triumph.</a>
But it would be South Africa's turn to flip the script in its closing match against Italy. Needing to register a first ever World Cup win to stand a chance of qualifying, Kgatlana's injury-time winner clinched a fairytale 3-2 triumph.
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It sparked euphoric scenes among South African players and staff. Having lost every group match in 2019, the reigning Women's Africa Cup of Nations champion (WAFCON) progressed into uncharted waters to face the Netherlands in the knockout stages.
It sparked euphoric scenes among South African players and staff. Having lost every group match in 2019, the reigning Women's Africa Cup of Nations champion (WAFCON) progressed into uncharted waters to face the Netherlands in the knockout stages.
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A<a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F07%2F23%2Ffootball%2Fbrazil-germany-panama-morocco-womens-world-cup-2023-spt-intl%2Findex.html" target="_blank"> 6-0 mauling at the hands of Germany</a> marked a devastating start for defender Zineb Redouani and a Moroccan side making its Women's World Cup debut in Group H.
A 6-0 mauling at the hands of Germany marked a devastating start for defender Zineb Redouani and a Moroccan side making its Women's World Cup debut in Group H.
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But the tournament's second lowest-ranked team (72nd) rebounded in stunning fashion to shock South Korea, striker Ibtissam Jraidi converting the game's only goal after just six minutes.
But the tournament's second lowest-ranked team (72nd) rebounded in stunning fashion to shock South Korea, striker Ibtissam Jraidi converting the game's only goal after just six minutes.
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It sealed Morocco's first ever goal and win at the tournament, and more history was made by Nouhaila Benzina, as the defender became the<a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F07%2F30%2Ffootball%2Fmorocco-south-korea-womens-world-cup-nouhaila-benzina-spt-intl%2Findex.html" target="_blank"> first player to wear a hijab</a> at a senior-level Women's World Cup.
It sealed Morocco's first ever goal and win at the tournament, and more history was made by Nouhaila Benzina, as the defender became the first player to wear a hijab at a senior-level Women's World Cup.
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And the <em>Atlas Lionesses</em> weren't done there, as Anissa Lahmari's goal saw Morocco <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F08%2F02%2Ffootball%2Fcolombia-morocco-germany-south-korea-womens-world-cup-spt-intl%2Findex.html" target="_blank">edge past Colombia</a> 1-0. Yet if Germany -- one of the tournament favorites -- beat South Korea, the North Africans would be out on goal difference.
And the Atlas Lionesses weren't done there, as Anissa Lahmari's goal saw Morocco edge past Colombia 1-0. Yet if Germany -- one of the tournament favorites -- beat South Korea, the North Africans would be out on goal difference.
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The Moroccan squad bundled around mobile phones before news of <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fsport%2Flive-news%2Fgroup-stage-womens-world-cup-08-03-23%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Germany's 1-1 draw</a> filtered through, confirming a round of 16 clash with France and sparking tears of joy across the pitch.
The Moroccan squad bundled around mobile phones before news of Germany's 1-1 draw filtered through, confirming a round of 16 clash with France and sparking tears of joy across the pitch.
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It made Morocco [pictured, goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi] the only one of eight tournament debutants to make the knockout stages, and marked the first time ever that three African nations have reached the last 16.
It made Morocco [pictured, goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi] the only one of eight tournament debutants to make the knockout stages, and marked the first time ever that three African nations have reached the last 16.
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