Africa fail to add to Women's World Cup qualified teams

By SABC Sport
22nd February 2023

Africa have missed out on an opportunity to have up to six nations representing at the upcoming 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, after Senegal and Cameroon fell short.

Portugal scored a 94th-minute winner against Cameroon on Wednesday to seal a place at their first-ever Women's World Cup later this year, while Haiti will also make their tournament debut.

This follows the expansion of the tournament, from 24 teams to 32 this year, prompting a play-off tournament from the various confederations, which saw Cameroon and Senegal with a chance to add to the four earlier qualified teams – South Africa, Morocco, Nigeria and Zambia.

However, Senegal were dumped out at the first hurdle after being handed a shock 4-0 defeat by Haiti, who then went on to beat Chile to qualify into Group D, alongside England, Denmark and China.

Cameroon came within minutes of a place in Australia and New Zealand, after beating Thailand 2-0 in their semi-final only to concede a 94th-minute goal to lose 2-1 to Portugal in the final.

The Portuguese will face reigning world champions the United States, 2019 finalists Netherlands and Vietnam in a tough Group E at the World Cup.

Carole Costa was the hero, holding her nerve from the penalty spot in Portugal's playoff against Cameroon in Hamilton to give them a dramatic 2-1 win deep in stoppage time.

Diana Gomes had given Portugal the lead in the first half, only for Ajara Nchout Njoya to level for Cameroon in the 89th minute.

In the other final, teenage midfielder Melchie Dumornay, who plays for French club Stade de Reims, gave Haiti – ranked 55th in the world – the lead just before half-time in Auckland.

The Haitians had a penalty with 90 minutes approaching when captain Nerilia Mondesir saw her weak effort from 12 yards out palmed away.

However, the 19-year-old Dumornay doubled Haiti's lead when she calmly slotted past Chile goalkeeper Christiane Endler in added time, before substitute Maria Jose Rojas scored a consolation for the Chileans at the death.

The last qualifying spot will be decided on Thursday when Paraguay face Panama – the winners of which will meet France, Jamaica and Brazil in Group F at the World Cup.