Women’s World Cup: Africa's last representative, Morocco ruled out

Posted : 09 August 2023

The French Ladies on Tuesday sent out Morocco, the only African representatives left at the ongoing 2023 Women World Cup in Australia/New Zealand, courtesy a 4-0 bashing.

France had to continue from the Panama rout to ensure an early lead in the first minutes to open the floodgates of goals thereby hitting the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco 4-0 in the match to end all African countries presence at the Mundial at the Hindmarsh Stadium under the Ref from USA, Tori Penso.

Fleet footed Olympique Lyon player, Kadidiatou Diani who wrecked Panama with a hat-trick bounced back to discomfort the Moroccoans.

The unmarked Diani got a signal from a good combination from Bacha and Karchaoui at the edge of the six yard box and headed home the curtain raiser from close range for the French team.

Diani also provided an assist with a pass to Aston Villa Midfielder, Kenza Dali which came back as a rebound when she shot at goal and not making room for error, she hit a volley into the net for second goal to France in the 20th minute.

Diani was also the architect of the 3rd goal as a stray ball hit her shin to the path of Lyon Forward, Eugenie Le Sommer.

Sommer had scored against Brazil where she completed her brace with her second goal and 4th for France against Morocco in the 70th minute.

France now meets co-hosts Australia at Brisbane on Saturday at 0800 hours Nigerian time at the 3rd quarterfinals.

Former champions, France played a goalless draw with Jamaica on July 23 and went on to defeat Brazil 2-1 on Aug. 2, thrashed Panama 6-3.

Morocco on the other hand suffered an embarrassing 6-0 bashing at their opening match on July 24, while they managed to defeat Korea 1-0 on July 30 and also defeated Columbia by the same margin 1-0, Aug. 3.

France and Morocco met twice, while they played 2-2 on Nov. 16, 2017 and on Dec. 14, 2022 France trounced Morocco 2-0.

Morocco is the second African nation to reach the round of 16 at her debut at the world cup after Cameroon in 2015 who lost to China at that stage.

France on the other hand, is in her fourth knockout stage in all appearances since 2011. She progressed once from that stage in her previous appearances at the knockout stage.

The first of the quarterfinals of the tournament will be played in the wee hours of Friday, West African Time of 0200 hours at Wellington Regional Stadium between Spain and Netherlands. Italian Ref Davide Massa will be in charge.

The second quarterfinals will be played at Eden Park same Friday at 0830 hours and it will be Japan versus Sweden.

Women’s World Cup: Africa's last representative, Morocco ruled out

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