WWC: Nigeria face England, Morocco battle France, one other in knockout stage against ex-colonial master

<p>In what could be described as one of the most coincidental fixtures, not just in football but in the entire sporting history, three African nations will be battling their former European colonial masters’ countries in the knockout stage of the ongoing FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.</p>, <p>After an intense group stage with 48 matches, two teams from each of the 8 groups have advanced to the competition’s round of 16, where knockout games will determine the quarter finalists of the WWC 2023.</p>, <p>For the first time in the history of the senior women’s World Cup, three teams from the African continent will be competing in the tournament’s last 16 games. Coincidentally, these three African nations, namely; Nigeria, South Africa, and Morocco, will face their respective former colonial masters’ countries.</p>, <p>Tribune Online takes a look at these African nations and their colonial masters’ opponents.</p>, <p>ENGLAND VS NIGERIA</p>, <p>Nigeria, a country in the West African region, will be facing England on the 7th of August 2023. The match, which will be played at Lang Park, Brisbane, Australia, promises to be an intriguing one as both teams are currently in good form.</p>, <p>Nigeria became the protectorate of the United Kingdom, made up of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland in 1901, and was ruled by the British until October 1st, 1960, when the country gained her independence.</p>, <p>Nigeria will now be battling their former ruler for a place in the last 8 of the senior Women’s World Cup.</p>, <p>Having qualified with a perfect nine points from Group D by defeating Haiti, Denmark, and China by 1-0, 1-0, and 6-0 respectively, England is no doubt going into the match as the favorite. However, the Super Falcons of Nigeria can’t be written off as they are equally going into the match unbeaten. Nigeria, who finished their group stage with five points following their 0-0 draw against Canada with a 3-2 win over Australia and another goalless draw with Ireland, will no doubt