WAFCON
Oshoala Returns as Icon Ahead of 2024 WAFCON, 10 Years After Breakthrough
As the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) draws near, all eyes are once again on Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala—a decade after she first announced herself to the continent in spectacular fashion.
Back in 2014, a relatively unknown 20-year-old forward lit up the tournament in Namibia, leaving an indelible mark on African women’s football. That year proved to be a turning point for both Oshoala and the Super Falcons.
Leading Nigeria’s frontline with poise and power, Oshoala scored four goals, provided crucial assists, and was the driving force behind Nigeria’s run to their seventh WAFCON title. In the final, she played a key role in Nigeria’s 2-0 victory over Cameroon and was deservedly named the tournament’s Best Player.
Her rise to stardom had already begun earlier that year on the global stage. At the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, she netted seven goals and claimed both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball, firmly establishing herself as a rising star in world football.
“2014 changed the course of my life,” she later reflected. “It was my first major senior tournament, and that’s when I realized I could become one of the best.”
Since that breakout year, Oshoala has risen to become the undisputed face of African women’s football. Now 29, she holds the record for the most CAF Women’s Player of the Year awards, winning the prestigious title six times—in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2023.
Her impact has gone far beyond the continent. After stints with Liverpool and Arsenal in England, Oshoala joined FC Barcelona in 2019, where she reached new heights. She helped the Spanish giants to the UEFA Women’s Champions League title in 2021 and became the first African woman to score in a final. The following year, she finished as the joint top scorer in Spain’s Liga F with 20 goals.
“I represent something bigger than myself,” she said upon renewing her contract with Barcelona in 2022. “I know that thousands of young girls across Africa are watching me.”
Her international record is equally impressive: three WAFCON titles (2014, 2016, 2018), over 30 international goals, and appearances at three FIFA Women’s World Cups. In 2023, she made history by becoming the first African player—male or female—to score in three different Women’s World Cup tournaments, with a crucial goal against Australia.
Now preparing for her fifth WAFCON, Oshoala stands as a symbol of excellence and consistency. Ten years after conquering the continent, she returns not just as a participant—but as an icon.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Perennial favourites Nigeria will kick off their 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign on Sunday with a Group B showdown against Tunisia at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.
The highly anticipated fixture is scheduled for 5pm Nigerian time.
This encounter marks only the second time the Super Falcons will face Tunisia at WAFCON. Their first meeting was at the 2008 edition in Equatorial Guinea, where both sides played out a goalless draw in a Group B clash in Bata.
Back then, Nigeria had drawn 1-1 with Ghana in their opener, while Tunisia fell 2-1 to South Africa. Nigeria eventually advanced to the knockout stage as group runners-up, while Tunisia finished bottom of the group.
The Super Falcons have a dominant record against North African opposition in WAFCON history, remaining unbeaten in open play across six matches (four wins, two draws).
Their only loss came via penalties to hosts Morocco in the semi-finals of the 2022 edition, after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
This year’s opener marks the third time Nigeria will begin a WAFCON campaign against a North African team.
They previously opened with emphatic victories—an 8-0 rout of Morocco and 4-0 wins over Algeria, in the 1998 and 2004 editions.
Overall, Nigeria have netted 25 goals and conceded just once in six WAFCON matches against North African opponents. They kept clean sheets in each of their first five such games before conceding against Morocco in 2022.
For Tunisia, Sunday’s match will be their fifth against West African opposition at WAFCON. Their record stands at one win, two draws, and one loss. Notably, they drew 0-0 with Nigeria and lost 3-2 to Ghana in the 2008 group stage.
More recently, they defeated Togo 4-1 in 2022 and held Senegal to a goalless draw in a 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup intercontinental playoff, before losing on penalties.
As both teams look to start strong in a competitive Group B, history favours Nigeria, but Tunisia will be eager to upset the script and make a statement in Casablanca.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Hosts Morocco will launch the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a highly anticipated Group A clash against Zambia on Saturday night at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat. Kick-off is set for 21:00 local time (20:00 GMT), with the Atlas Lionesses looking to maintain the strong tradition of hosts making winning starts.
History is firmly on Morocco’s side. In the 12 previous editions of WAFCON, host nations have won their opening match on 11 occasions. The lone exception came in 2004, when South Africa fell 3-0 to Ghana in Johannesburg. Since then, hosts have built a formidable record: the last eight have all kicked off their campaigns with victories.
Clean sheets are also common for home teams in tournament openers. Nine of the 12 hosts shut out their opponents in their first match. The only hosts to concede were Nigeria (4-2 vs Equatorial Guinea in 2006), and South Africa in their 2004 loss and 2010 win (2-1 vs Tanzania). Nigeria holds the record for the most dominant opening win by a host, hammering Morocco 8-0 in 1998.
Morocco will look to build on their impressive run in the 2022 edition, also hosted on home soil, where they reached the final for the first time before narrowly losing 2-1 to South Africa. With the same stadium and strong home support behind them, the Atlas Lionesses are aiming for another deep run—and a winning start is key.
Zambia, however, are no pushovers. The Copper Queens finished third in 2022 and boast firepower in the likes of Barbara Banda and Racheal Kundananji. Their rise has been one of African football’s most compelling stories, and they’ll be eager to spoil the hosts’ party.
While Morocco will draw on history and home advantage, Zambia bring momentum and ambition. A historic opener awaits, with both teams eager to make a bold statement at WAFCON 2024.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
With a purse of $3,475,000, the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) kicks off with a historic opening match as hosts Morocco take on Zambia in what will be the first-ever meeting between the two sides at the continental tournament.
Both nations impressed in the previous edition in 2022, also hosted by Morocco. The Atlas Lionesses reached the final for the first time, eventually finishing runners-up to South Africa, while Zambia’s Copper Queens claimed their first-ever bronze medal after edging Nigeria in the third-place playoff.
This clash brings together two of Africa’s rising forces in women’s football, with Morocco aiming to build on their breakthrough success on home soil, and Zambia seeking to continue their upward trajectory following their strong World Cup qualification and Olympic pedigree.
It will be Morocco’s third encounter with a Southern African opponent at WAFCON. In 2022, they defeated Botswana 2-1 in the quarterfinals before narrowly losing 2-1 to South Africa in the final. For Zambia, this marks their second meeting with a host nation at the tournament, having lost 2-0 to Namibia during the group stage in 2014.
Zambia will also be facing North African opposition for only the second time at WAFCON. Their first such meeting came in 2022, when they defeated Tunisia 1-0 in the group stage—a result that demonstrated their growing tactical maturity on the continental stage.
Morocco will enjoy familiar surroundings once again, playing all their group-stage matches in Rabat as they did in 2022. Their games will take place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, near the Rabat Olympic Stadium. Zambia, meanwhile, played only once in Rabat during the last tournament—a commanding 4-1 win over Togo at Stade Moulay Hassan—before playing the remainder of their matches in Casablanca.
Adding another intriguing layer to the fixture is the touchline reunion between the two head coaches. Morocco’s Jorge Vilda and Zambia’s Nora Häuptle previously faced off at the 2018 UEFA Women’s U-19 Championship, when Vilda’s Spain defeated Häuptle’s Switzerland 2-0 en route to winning the tournament.
With both teams boasting strong recent records and ambitious goals, this opening match promises to set the tone for an exciting WAFCON 2024.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- OBITUARY2 days ago
BREAKING: Nigerian Goalkeeping Legend Peter Rufai is dead
- Nigerian Football2 days ago
Football Agent John Shittu Demands Retraction and ₦250 Million Damages from Samson Siasia Over Bribery Allegation
- WAFCON1 week ago
Super Falcons Land in Morocco, Eye Historic ‘La Decima’ Women’s AFCON Title
- FEDERATION CUP1 week ago
Kwara United Clinch Historic First Title as President Federation Cup Final Goes to Penalties for the 18th time
- FEDERATION CUP1 week ago
Rivers Angels Crowned 2025 Female Federation Cup Champions After Penalty Shootout Thriller
- OBITUARY2 days ago
Peter Rufai looked lean when I last saw him, says mourning NFF President, Gusau
- OBITUARY2 days ago
Family issues statement on Peter Rufai
- IMMEMORIAL2 days ago
Peter Rufai’s Death Adds to Long List of July Tragedies in Nigerian Football