3-2

• That’s three of the top 10 teams from the Fifa world rankings out in the group stage, and the US only runners-up in their group.
• This is the first time that three African teams have made it to the second round and a great indicator that the quality of the game is improving.
• African teams, among other non-traditional power houses like Colombia and Jamaica, have indeed showed up to unsettle any pre-tournament expectations.

Debutantes cause a stir

• This sets up a mouth-watering clash with France, who are in devastating form.
• Out of the eight debutantes in Australia and New Zealand, the Atlas Lionesses are the last women standing.
• The Moroccan government also deserves credit for investment in a football academy that seeks to produce international quality footballers from both boys and girls.

South Africa overcome pre-tournament chaos

• One player who has stood out is Thembi Kgatlana, who has scored twice and assisted on two goals.
• The reward for South Africa’s progress is a clash with the Netherlands.

The Super Falcons are flying

• The team has surpassed expectations in an extremely difficult Group B to qualify for the last 16 for a second consecutive World Cup.
• The underdog Super Falcons drew with Canada 0-0, beat Australia 3-2 and drew with Republic of Ireland 0-0 to emerge runners-up in Group B.
• In the process, they edged out the current Olympic champions, Canada, at the group stage of the tournament.

Ready to compete

• Zambia have departed the stage with heads held high as they finished third in their group after beating Costa Rica 3-1.
• The self-belief and confidence, as well as the technical and tactical astuteness displayed by the African teams, shows that their opponents cannot take them lightly.