FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: The Power of Teamwork: How the underdogs are claiming this tournament as their own
With Jamaica, South Africa and Morocco all through to the Round of 16, it’s evident that teamwork, solidity and belief can even overcome world class talent. Olympics.com takes a look at the teams defying the odds at this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
Football
So far, the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 belongs to the underdogs.
With the likes of Germany and Brazil already on the plane home, tournament newcomers Morocco make their way into the Round of 16, accompanied by knockout first-timers Jamaica and South Africa.
On an international scale, the women’s game is more competitive than ever and this summer is proving that the lesser known teams are not just here to make up numbers.
A key component in the success of sides so far has been teamwork.
There is a sense of togetherness, cohesion and belief among teams such as South Africa and Jamaica - traits that struggling sides seem to be lacking.
Reggae Girlz
Just six weeks ago, players of the Jamaican women’s national team came together to release a joint statement voicing their disappointment in the lack of support received from the Jamaican Football Federation.
A challenge that required confidence, strength and without a doubt, the support of one another.
Since then, they’ve overcome another historic challenge: qualifying for the Round of 16.
The Reggae Girlz’ display on the pitch is reminiscent of what they have had to deal with off of it. Their willingness to come together, fight and persevere - even against the toughest of opposition - is a trait that will pay off throughout their journey in this summer’s tournament.
Cedella Marley, daughter of Bob Marley, is one supporter who has stood by the Reggae Girlz through the good and the bad.
"These young women have been tested off the pitch in ways that [thankfully] not many teams at this World Cup have," Cedella told ESPN.
"At key points they had to stand as a unit against various opponents and, when they did that, they triumphed. Their strength is in their ability to block out the noise and stick together."
If you ask the Reggae Girlz who is to thank for their success, it is Cedella Marley.
However, Marley has simply instilled the ideal of teamwork and perseverance within this team. It is the players who have gone out and made it a reality.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 02: Deneisha Blackwood of Jamaica celebrates advancing to the knockout stage after the scoreless draw in the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group F match between Jamaica and Brazil at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 02, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Banyana Banyana
If anyone knows the impact of true teamwork, it is Desiree Ellis.
In 2016, she became the first woman of colour and the first former Banyana player to take charge of the South Africa women’s national team.
Ellis’ journey into football was a hard fought, often lonely, battle, defying apartheid laws to play football and even losing her job for the sport. She ended up playing until she was almost 40 and reached two WAFCON finals in the process.
Since her appointment as South Africa manager, she has transformed Banyana Banyana’s play into a recognisable brand of football that the nation knows and loves.
Evident from their performances at the FIFA Women’s World Cup this summer, the South Africa women’s national team are a complete unit - from the eleven players on the pitch down to the physio staff.
And that unity is thanks to Desiree Ellis.
“Players are able to believe in her more because she is not just a coach, she’s a coach who’s done it,” South African journalist Busisiwe Mokwena told Al Jazeera. “She’s a coach that has been in the system for so many years.”
Ellis’ journey through football is what has instilled belief within her players.
Whilst she has fought the lonely side of football, she has reaped the benefits of teamwork - and her experiences will continue to inspire her players.
"They fought like the heroines that we know that they are,” Ellis said after South Africa’s Round of 16 qualification. “They fought to be historically remembered and they've made history not just getting our first win, but going to the round of 16 and that is freaking amazing.”
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 02: Thembi Kgatlana of South Africa celebrates after winning the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group G match between South Africa and Italy at Wellington Regional Stadium on August 02, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Atlas Lionesses
Out of eight debutant nations at this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, Morocco were the only side to qualify for the knockout rounds.
In doing so, they became the first Arab nation to ever reach the Round of 16 at a Women’s World Cup.
Having been drawn in a group with Germany, Korea Republic and Colombia, many believed that the Atlas Lionesses would struggle to advance into the later stages of this summer’s tournament.
Their campaign kicked off in the worst possible way with a 6-0 loss to Germany - a result that would’ve dampened the spirits of most sides.
But not Morocco.
Instead, as striker Roselle Ayane told the media, the side regrouped, came together and used the power of togetherness to propel them forward.
“Coming into the tournament, we knew qualifying from the group would be tough but we worked together and achieved something special for all of Morocco,” said Ayane.
The Atlas Lionesses have repeatedly demonstrated their unity with one another, most recently as they empowered and supported teammate Nouhaila Benzina to become the first-ever women to play at a Women’s World Cup in a hijab.
It is moments in history like these that remind us just how far the Atlas Lionesses have had to come.
For a long time women’s football was frowned upon in Morocco, with plenty of the current players having retold childhood stories of not being allowed to play.
Instead of giving up, they have found strength in one another - a sense of synergy that is apparent on the pitch as well as off of it.
And now, they have an entire nation behind them, with the Moroccan Football Federation taking to social media to declare that: “the impossible is not Moroccan.”