With the group stages of the 2022 Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) done and dusted, the eight teams who managed to overcome the first hurdle will be looking to galvanize their efforts once again as the games get to the last eight stage on Wednesday.In the quarter finals, Morocco, Botswana, Cameroon, reigning champions Nigeria, Zambia, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia all know that only one round separates them from a place in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup as all four semifinalists will successfully book their automatic tickets to the prestigious event.Egypt unveil former Benfica boss Rui Vitória as new head coachZambia vs SenegalPrior to the 2022 edition, both sides had never gone past the group stages at the WAFCON. With places at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand guaranteed for the semifinalists, both sides will get the extra push in continuing with their fine run so far.##NAJAVA_MECA_6502044##Morocco vs BotswanaThe hosts have been perfect in the tournament so far, grinding their way through their Group A matches and amassing nine points, scoring five goals and conceding just once, to top the table and book a place in the quarterfinals.Against Botswana, Morocco will be up against one of the fastest teams at the tournament. The Mares, who finished as one of the two third best placed finishers, pride themselves in counterattacks with the incredible Refilwe Tholakele at the center of their attacks and she will be hoping to bring her A game to the hosts on Wednesday at the Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat.3️⃣ 𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐒, 3️⃣ 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐒 ✅#TeamMorocco and #TeamSouthAfrica have won all of their #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 games so far! 🧤Many more to come? 🤔#EmpoweringOurGame | @Banyana_Banyana | @EnMaroc pic.twitter.com/J85IleBYGE— #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 (@CAFwomen) July 11, 2022 Cameroon vs NigeriaArguably the best matchup of the round as Cameroon seek to cause an upset to the reigning champions. The match will be a repeat of the 2016 final in Yaounde where the Super falcons won 1-0.Having won a record nine titles and having also scored the most tournament goals so far, 7, Nigeria get into the clash keen to silence any plans by an ambitious Indomitable Lionesses.📹 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒: 🇳🇬 4-0 🇧🇮 4️⃣ goals without reply ensure #TeamNigeria’s place in the quarterfinals! 🦅 #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 | #EmpoweringOurGame | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/LCcayClSGR— #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 (@CAFwomen) July 11, 2022 South Africa vs TunisiaThe 2018 finalists South Africa come into this one as one of two sides that won all their group stage games, amassing nine points.Even without poster girl Thembi Kgatlana, who is out of the tournament due to injury, Banyana Banyana will feel confident against a Tunisia side who are playing at the WAFCON for only the second time.An exceptional campaign from #TeamSouthAfrica so far! 🌟Your #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 title favourites? 👀 #EmpoweringOurGame | @Banyana_Banyana pic.twitter.com/nPaJZtazho— #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 (@CAFwomen) July 11, 2022 The first two games will take place on Wednesday with the last two being played on Thursday.CAF also released the Best XI of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations following the completion of the tournament’s group phasePlayers from seven countries made the list of the of Best XI as selected by members of CAF’s Technical Study Group (TSG) after the first round.South Africa’s goalkeeper Andile Dlamini was selected as the tournament’s leading goalkeeper so far with a defence anchored by Nigeria’s Osinachi Ohale and Zambia’s Lushomo Mweemba. Tunisia’s Samia Aouni and Morocco’s Zineb Redouan completed the defence on either flanks.Morocco’s captain Ghizlane Chebbak, who is the leading goal scorer at the tournament with three goals, make up a formidable midfield combination alongside South African captain Jane Refiloe. Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade occupies one wing with Cameroon’s Ajara Nchout providing plenty of firepower down the other flank.Botswana’s Refilwe Tholakele gets the nod for the striker’s spot and partners Zambia’s Grace Chanda.
