2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup debutants Morocco (Lionesses of Atlas) are the last African team to book their spot in the last 16 of the global showpiece after securing a gutsy 1-0 win over Colombia.
The results mean Colombia summits Group H, after finishing ahead on goal difference from two wins.
Morocco, who suffered a massive 6-0 defeat in their opening game, bounced back to winning ways by beating South Korea 1-0 and then beat Colombia 1-0 earlier today.
Those two wins and Germany’s failure to beat South Korea guaranteed the Lionesses of Atlas a spot in the knockout phase of the tournament.
The 72nd-ranked Moroccans have joined fellow African sides South Africa (54th ranked) and Nigeria (39th) in the next round of the tournament, this means it’s the first time three African teams progress from the group stage.
The stellar run for the African teams continues as three of the four representatives except Zambia aim to advance further.
The next round of fixtures for the African queens will see South Africa’s Banyana Banyana battle it out with The Netherlands who are ranked 4th on Sunday at 4am, Nigeria will face European Champions, England on Monday, while Morocco will play Jamaica in the round of 16 on August 8.
