By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria and cohost Australia on Monday advanced to the round of 16 stage of the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup after both sides topped group D.
While the Nigerian team mostly known as the Super Falcons garnered five points to place second, the Australian women referred to as Matildas, secured six points to go top.
Before the last group match day, the Super Falcons had led their group.
Talking about the final group game day, Nigeria played a goalless draw against Ireland already out of the tournament.
Australia on their part whitewashed one of the competition’s favourites Canada 4-0.
The Super Falcons’ performance meant they are the first African team to go through from the group stage at the 2023 World Cup without facing defeat.
And this is the first time they achieved such feat in the mundial.
Surprisingly, the Nigerian team held Canada to a goalless draw in their first match and beat Australia 3-2 in the second.
Australia, on their part, beat Ireland and Canada to proceed, unlike cohost New Zealand that failed to go pass group stage.
The Super Falcons will face the winner of Group E – likely England in the last 16, while Matildas play the second place side.
