Nigeria and Cameroon are the first two African nations to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™. Both sides qualified on Wednesday 22 October through the 2014 African Women’s Championship in Windhoek, Namibia.
Nigeria was the first to qualify after a 2-1 win over South Africa in the first of two semi-final matches. Asisat Oshoala, who earlier this year won the adidas Golden Ball at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014, was the two-goal star in the victory.
Nigeria has now qualified for all seven editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™. Already eight-time continental champions, Nigeria will play for a ninth title on Saturday 25 October.
Cameroon qualified next after a 2-1 aet win over Ivory Coast in the second semi-final on 22 October. Less than three minutes from the final whistle, captain and centre back Christine Manie headed home the winner for Cameroon.
This marks the first time Cameroon has qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup™, coming three years after the country participated at the London 2012 Olympics.
One more African nation will qualify on Saturday 25 October in the match for third place, with either South Africa or Ivory Coast to win the Canada 2015 spot. The South Africa – Ivory Coast match will then be followed by the championship match between Nigeria and Cameroon.
From more than 129 competing nations, 24 countries from around the world will take part in next summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™. With 17 nations now qualified, seven more spots still have to be filled before the Official Draw 6 December 2014.
QUALIFIED (17 of 24): Canada (host), Australia, Brazil, Cameroon, China, Colombia, England, France, Germany, Japan, Nigeria. Norway, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand
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