FIFA Women’s World Cup: Nigeria Sneaks Into Round 16

BY EDMOND ODOK – Fate smiled on Nigeria’s Super Falcons as they finally ended their 20-year wait for a spot in the play-offs, sneaking into the Round of 16 at this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.

Waiting with bated hopes until the very last moment on Thursday night, not even Chile’s 2-0 win over Thailand was enough to stop Nigeria from reaching the knockout stages for the first time since 1999, when they reached the quarter-final in the USA.

With Brazil, China and Cameroon already qualified as the three best third-placed teams, the Nigerians were hoping Chile failed to beat Thailand by a three-goal advantage in Rennes.

Despite Chile’s 2-0 win over Thailand in final Group E game in Montpelier, Thomas Dennerby’s side claimed the last spot among the four best third-placed teams, on superior goals scored.

The African champions had lost 3-0 to Norway in Reims, but defeated South Korea 2-0 in Grenoble, before bowing to Les Bleues in their final Group A match in Rennes.

Having secured their passage to the knockout stage, the Africans will face Group B winners and former champions Germany in Grenoble on Saturday, June 22.

With Cameroon advancing, Nigeria becomes the second African side in the competition after South Africa’s elimination in the group stage.

It is also the first time since the inception of the showpiece in 1991 that two African sides have made it to the knockout stages.

With the group stage now concluded and the field narrowing from 24 teams to 16, hostilities are set to begin on Saturday as the combatants seek quarter final tickest in the global fiesta.

As expected, the usual title contenders did not disappoint as they all advanced to the round of 16, including the United States, France, England, Germany and Japan.

Tournament’s favourites, The USA will face Spain on Monday in its knockout stage opener, and Jill Ellis’ team could then play host country, France, in the quarter finals.

The U.S. also has Australia, Norway, Brazil and England on its side of the pairing with Germany, Japan, Sweden and the Netherlands considered possible finalists on the other half of the draws. 

Below is the full timetable for World Cup knockout stage. – With agency reports

ROUND OF 16 SCHEDULE

Saturday, June 22

Germany vs Nigeria, 11:30am (4.30pm)

Norway vs Australia, 3pm (8pm)

Sunday, June 23

England vs Cameroon, 11:30am (4.30pm)

France vs Brazil, 3 pm (8pm)

Monday, June 24

Spain vs United States, Noon (5pm)

Sweden vs Canada 3pm (8pm)

Tuesday, June 25

Italy vs China, Noon (5pm)

Netherlands vs Japan, 3pm (8pm)

Quarterfinals

Thursday, June 27

TBD vs. TBD, 3 pm. ET, Fox

Friday, June 28

TBD vs. TBD, 3pm. ET, Fox

Saturday, June 29

TBD vs. TBD, 9am. ET, FS1

TBD vs. TBD, 12:30pm. ET, FS1

Semifinals

Tuesday, July 2

TBD vs. TBD, 3pm. ET, Fox

Wednesday, July 3

TBD vs. TBD, 3pm. ET, FS1

Third-place game

Saturday, July 6

TBD vs. TBD, 11am. ET, Fox

Final

Sunday, July 7

TBD vs. TBD, 11am. ET, Fox