Olympic Dreams Alive: Four African Nations to Battle for Rio 2016 Women’s Football Spots
The final stretch of the African qualifiers for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (women’s football) is set, with four nations remaining in contention for two coveted spots at next summer’s tournament in Brazil.
Following the conclusion of the third round of qualifiers, the stage is now set for the decisive ties to be played in October. The line-up includes Equatorial Guinea, South Africa, Cameroon, and Ivory Coast.
Final Round Fixtures:
-
South Africa vs. Equatorial Guinea
-
Cameroon vs. Ivory Coast
These matchups follow a dramatic third round that saw major upsets and convincing victories. Equatorial Guinea stunned Nigeria, the continent’s most successful women’s football side, with a 2-1 win in Bata after a 1-1 draw in the first leg. South Africa continued their steady campaign with a narrow but effective 1-0 win over Kenya, matching their first-leg result for a 2-0 aggregate victory.
In Saturday’s action, Cameroon held Ghana to a 2-2 draw, but progressed based on their performance in the first leg. Meanwhile, Ivory Coast advanced without playing, as Zimbabwe were disqualified after failing to travel for the tie — handing the Ivorian side a pass to the final round.
With Olympic qualification on the line, October’s clashes promise to deliver high-stakes football. Only two teams will book their ticket to Rio 2016, making every goal — and every mistake — count.
