Ex-Falcons, Udeze relish Africa’s Women’s W’Cup success

<p>Nigeria’s World Cup stars have been left delighted following the qualifications of Nigeria, South Africa and Morocco to the round of 16 of the ongoing Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, Saturday PUNCH reports.</p>, <p>The Falcons played a goalless draw against Ireland to finish second in Group B with five points behind co-hosts Australia, while Banyana Banyana also finished second behind Sweden in a group that had Italy and Argentina crashing out.</p>, <p>On Thursday, Morocco joined them in the round of 16 after beating Colombia 1-0 in their last group match at the Perth Rectangular Stadium.</p>, <p>It is the second win for the Moroccans at the Mundial, after they defeated Korea Republic 1-0 on match-day two.</p>, <p>The victory means it is the first time an African team will win two games at the Women’s World Cup since Nigeria’s Super Falcons achieved the feat in 1999 and also the first time that the continent will have three representatives in the knockout stage.</p>, <p>Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, Maureen Mmadu, who featured at four different World Cups, was elated, saying African football had come of age.</p>, <p>“When the Falcons were about to leave for the tournament, I got a call from some people asking me if the crisis between the Falcons coach and the Nigeria Football Federation would not affect the team but I said the players were professionals and would not pay attention to the crisis. They also know that millions of Nigerians are looking up to them. Getting to the round of 16 is a very good one for them and I am sure they can build on that,” Mmadu stated.</p>, <p>“I am not surprised by Morocco’s performance at the World Cup because I was on a training tour there with my academy and I saw the facilities there and I told myself that they stood a chance at the World Cup. I see them going very far at the tournament.”</p>, <p>Another ex-Falcons star Stella Mbachu added, “I am very happy and equally surprised that we have three African teams in the round of 16.</p>, <p>“I’m excited because