The Nigerian women’s football team, the Super Falcons, secured their place in the Women’s World Cup knockout stage as the first Africans, with a goalless draw against Ireland on Monday.
The team’s advancement comes after accumulating five points from two draws and one win.
With this result, the Super Falcons, who are 40th in FIFA ranking claim the second spot in Group B with five points, while Ireland ranking 22nd exits the tournament as bottom, having garnered one point.
In the same group, Australia emerged as the group topper with six points after defeating Canada 4-0. Canada finishes third in the group with four points.
The Super Falcons have reached the knockout stages at the Women’s World Cup for the third time in their history.
Nigeria are the first African nation to qualify for the knockout stages at this year’s tournament.
They’ll be looking to match their best ever performance at the Women’s World Cup, a quarter-final appearance in 1999.
The Super Falcons will find out their next opponents when Group D draws to a close tomorrow.
Nigeria have successfully navigated their way through a tricky group at this World Cup.
They drew with Olympic champions Canada, stunned co-hosts Australia with a 3-2 win and saw out a goalless draw this evening against Ireland.
The Super Falcons will face the winner of Group D in the last 16. If all goes as expected, that would mean Nigeria vs England.
