Africa's best bidding to join Nigeria in quarterfinals

With seven spots still up for grabs, the remaining 10 teams in contention will look to join Nigeria in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon).

Nigeria became the first nation to qualify for the knockout stages when they beat Botswana 1-0 on Thursday, which followed on from their 3-0 victory over Tunisia on matchday 1.

The matchday 3 action gets underway on Saturday as Morocco lock horns with Senegal at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, while Zambia take on DR Congo at the El Bachir Stadium in Mohammedia.

The Atlas Lionesses moved into pole position in group A after battling back from behind to defeat the Leopardesses 4-2 on Wednesday, having kicked off proceedings with a 2-2 draw against the Copper Queens on 5 July.

The Lionesses of Teranga are one point behind Jorge Vilda's side in third place after squandering the lead against Zambia to lose 3-2 on Wednesday, following their resounding 4-0 triumph over DR Congo on 6 July.

The Copper Queens trail the Wafcon 2024 hosts on goal difference in second spot and are still unbeaten courtesy of their comeback win against Senegal and the stalemate with Morocco.

DR Congo have already been eliminated after suffering back-to-back defeats against the Lionesses of Teranga and the Atlas Lionesses, leaving them with nothing to show for the efforts so far in the tournament.

NIGERIA FACE ALGERIA

Then on Sunday, the focus shifts to Casablanca, where Nigeria and Algeria do battle at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium and Tunisia face Botswana at the Pere Jego Stadium.

The Super Falcons, who have yet to concede a single goal at the continental showpiece, are looking to make it three wins from three in group B.

The Fennecs just have to avoid defeat to book their place in the last eight, having held North African rivals Tunisia to a 0-0 draw on Thursday to put them on four points as they had edged Botswana 1-0 on 6 July.

The Eagles of Carthage will go in search of their first victory at Wafcon 2024 in a bid to keep their hopes alive after a 3-0 loss to Nigeria on 6 July left them with a minus-three goal difference, meaning they need to win big on matchday 3 to stand a chance of pipping Algeria to the runners-up spot or progress as one of the third-placed teams.

The Mares' only hope is to sneak in via the back door as they've yet to pick up a single point after losing to Algeria and Nigeria.

Monday's action sees defending champions South Africa tackle Mali at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, while Ghana and Tanzania clash at the Berkane Stadium in Berkane.

Banyana Banyana kicked off their title defence with a 2-0 success against the Black Queens on 7 July and the Eagles also made a winning start when they edged the Twiga Stars 1-0.