Ivory Coast is headed to the Women’s World Cup for the first time ever. (Photo: CAF)
Ivory Coast is headed to the Women’s World Cup for the first time in the country’s history, beating South Africa, 1-0 on Saturday in Namibia. Ivory Coast joins Nigeria and Cameroon — who qualified on Wednesday — as Africa’s representatives at next year’s World Cup in Canada.
Rebecca Ida’s 84th minute goal lifted Les Elephantes into the World Cup. South Africa participated in the 2012 Olympics, along with Cameroon.
Nigeria beat Cameroon, 2-0 in Saturday’s final. Asisat Oshoala, who won the 2014 U-20 Women’s World Cup Golden Boot and Golden Ball, scored again on Saturday. Desire Oparanozie also scored early for Nigeria.
Qualified thus far for the 2015 Women’s World Cup are: Canada (host), Brazil, Colombia, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, England, France, Germany, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Cameroon, Nigeria, Costa Rica and the United States.
The final three spots to complete the 24-team field will be filled by Oceania’s tournament winner (determined next week), the winner of UEFA’s playoff (determined next month) and the winner of the CONCACAF vs. CONMEBOL playoff, the second leg of which won’t be played until Dec. 2, four days later in Ottawa, Canada.
