By

Eniola Olatunji 

Nigeria and Algeria in group B of the Women African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) ongoing in Morocco are the only teams that did not concede a single goal at the group stages of the tournament that involved 12 African countries. That in football is called clean slate.

Incidentally the group scored the least number of goals which is 8 goals as group A banged in 21 goals and group C contributed 16 goals. Senegal and Morocco scored 4 goals each in a single match; Morocco versus DR Congo and Senegal versus same DR Congo.

There were 45 goals scored at the 18 group matches played which is an average of 2.5 goals per match from where the Best Player at the Group stages, Chizlane Chebbak of Morocco and Nguemar Ndiaye of Senegal are top highest scorers with 4 goals each. Barbra Banda and Raphael Kundananji both of Zambia who will face the Super Falcons of Nigeria at the quarterfinals on Friday scored 3 goals each.

Morocco and South Africa are highest team scorers with 7 goals each followed by Zambia and Senegal with 6 goals each and Ghana with 5 goals while Nigeria scored 4 goals so far. DR Congo conceded the highest number of goals which is 9; Tanzania conceded 6 while Tunisia and Mali conceded 5 goals each.

Nigeria remains unbeaten in 3 matches; Congo lost all 3 matches while Tunisia was winless in 3 matches.

There were 3 red cards at the group stages, 2 went to Tanzania that also had 5 yellow cards; 1 red to DR Congo that also had 5 yellows; Senegal placed 3rd on the disciplinary ladder with 8 yellow cards; Mali and Botswana occupied 4th and 5th positions with 5 yellows each. Nigeria in the 11th position out of 12 had 3 yellows like Tunisia and South Africa. In tournaments, Nations pay for each card they bag which will be deducted from their gross earnings.

According to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) organizers of the tournament, four or three teams losing out at the group stages will collect $125,000 each; Teams placing 3rd at the group stages will collect $150,000; quarterfinal losers will pocket $200,000 each; 4th placed team will go home with $300,000; Bronze Medal Team will bank $350,000; Silver Medal Team will be proud owners of $500,000 while the winners will pop up wine with $1million. Nigeria has for now secured $200,000.

Two Nigerian players were selected in the Team of The Group Stages namely team Captain, Rasheedat Ajibade at the Midfield and Ashlegh Plumptee who is solid at the Back. Chloe Ngazi is chose by the Technical Team as in goal. Three other defenders with Ashley are all from South Africa namely Bamblanani Mbame on the right; Magame beside Ashley and Mweemba too. 

Midfielders with Ajibade are Chislane Cheebak of Morocco and Rfiloe Jane also of South Africa. The Forwards are Nguenar Ndiaye of Senegal and Rachael Kundananji of Zambia with the dangerous girlBarbra Banda spearheading the attack.

Quarterfinals of the tournament are to be decided on Friday with Nigeria facing Zambia at 5pm and Morocco taking on Mali that day at 8pm. On Saturday in the 3rd quarters, Algeria will tackle the Black Queens of Ghana while at 8pm the battle royale will be between Banyana Banyana of South Africa and the Lionesses of Senegal.