Haiti to face Senegal in first WWC Playoff clash

MIAMI – If there is one team that always answers a call to make history, it is Haiti. They have done so in Concacaf and now they have the chance to prove it to the rest of the world by playing their first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup Playoff match this Saturday in Group B against Senegal at the North Harbour Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand.

Haiti’s Women’s National Team reached this historic milestone by qualifying third in their group at the Concacaf W Championship that took place in Monterrey, Mexico back in July 2022. They showed up to the tournament determined to prove how much the country has improved in women’s football. And they did it.

Placed in Group A alongside current Concacaf and World Champions the United States, Jamaica and Mexico, Haiti took the field in Monterrey ready to start writing the next big chapter in their country’s football history.

They lost against the U.S. in their first match, however, they downed Mexico 3-0, but then ultimately lost their group finale versus Jamaica. Still, the win over Mexico was enough to reach their first ever intercontinental playoffs. With the services of Roselord Borgella, Nerilia Mondesir and 2022 CWC Best Young Player Melchie Dumornay, who has been a rising star since her time in the U-17 categories, Haiti are now in New Zealand to face their next opponent: African side Senegal.

Senegal has been a revelation in the last African tournaments, reaching the quarterfinals of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, after qualifying in second place of Group A. They left the tournament after losing against Zambia in penalty kicks, showing the rest of their confederation the many big steps they have taken in the last several years.

The Lionnes arrive in New Zealand to face Haiti with the whole squad that played at the Africa Cup of Nations. The Caribbean defense will have to look out for captain Korka Fall, striker Nguenar Ndiaye and Hapsatou Malado Diallo, who at only 17 years old has scored nine goals in four matches for her National Team.

The winner of this contest will advance to the Group B final to face Chile. With everything on the table to play for, both teams will be going out with full force to try to get closer to their first ever Women’s World Cup.