Tanzania’s Twiga Stars will be looking to defy history when they take on reigning champions South Africa in a crucial Group C clash at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda this Friday, as the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2024 enters a decisive phase.

The two sides will be meeting for the second time in WAFCON finals history, their first encounter dating back to the 2010 tournament opener, which South Africa won 2-1 on home soil. In that match, Mamphasha Popela and a late Mamello Makhabane penalty sealed victory for Banyana Banyana, after Esther Chabruma had levelled for Tanzania just before halftime.

South Africa, who kicked off their 2024 title defence with a 2-0 win over Ghana, are brimming with confidence as they aim to cement their place in the quarter-finals. They boast a strong record against East African opponents at WAFCON, including a 3-1 victory over Burundi in the 2022 group stage. In total, Banyana have played four matches against East African teams, with two wins and one defeat—a 2-1 setback against Ethiopia in 2004.

In contrast, Tanzania’s WAFCON campaign has been a tale of missed chances and narrow defeats. Their 1-0 loss to Mali in the opening match of the current tournament marked their fourth consecutive WAFCON finals defeat, leaving them still in search of their first-ever point at the continental showpiece.

The Twiga Stars have failed to score in their last two tournament matches, with their only three WAFCON goals coming in the first halves of their first two appearances. Notably, Tanzania has never scored the opening goal in a WAFCON match, and six of the nine goals they’ve conceded have come in the first half—a trend they will need to reverse if they are to stand any chance against a well-drilled South African side.

This match also marks the first time Tanzania will face a defending WAFCON champion, making the challenge even more formidable. Their only other second group match appearance came in 2010, when they fell 3-2 to Mali despite a spirited effort.

For South Africa, a win will virtually seal a place in the knockout stage and keep them on course for a successful title defence. For Tanzania, it is a must-win match to keep their slim qualification hopes alive and possibly earn a historic first point at the finals.

With history, form, and pressure all weighing heavily, Friday’s clash promises to be a true test of resilience and ambition for the East Africans—and a chance for Banyana Banyana to reaffirm their continental dominance.

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Nigeria’s Super Falcons secured their place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over a resilient Botswana side in a Group B clash on Wednesday.

The narrow win, achieved at the dying moments of the game, ensured the defending champions maintain their perfect start to the tournament and move to the top of their group with six points from two matches. They are now guaranteed a spot in the last eight, regardless of the outcome of their final group game against Algeria on Sunday.

Botswana, despite their spirited defensive display, extended their unwanted WAFCON record of never having kept a clean sheet. The Mares, led by outstanding goalkeeper and captain Sedilame Boseja, frustrated Nigeria’s dominant attack for most of the game. Boseja pulled off several crucial saves to deny the Super Falcons, who created chance after chance in a relentless offensive push.

However, just one minute before the end of regulation time, Nigeria finally broke through. Second-half substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo found herself in the right place at the right time to tap home the winner, breaking Botswana’s resistance and sealing all three points for the Super Falcons.

The result reaffirms Nigeria’s status as favourites to retain their WAFCON title, while Botswana will need a positive result in their final group game to keep hopes alive of progressing beyond the group stage.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons will be looking to extend their impressive record in second group matches at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) when they take on Botswana this Thursday in Casablanca.

Historically dominant at this stage of the competition, the Super Falcons have won eight of their 12 second group games at WAFCON, drawing three and losing just once. That solitary defeat came on home soil in 2002 — a 1-0 loss to Ghana, marking the first time Nigeria lost a match to another African team.

Since then, Nigeria have remained a consistent performer in their second group fixtures. The only other times they failed to win were a 2-2 draw with Cameroon in 2004, a goalless draw with Tunisia in 2008, and a 1-1 stalemate against Ghana in 2016.

 Notably, the team has only twice failed to score in a second group match — during the losses to Ghana in 2002 and the draw with Cameroon in 2008.

Victory against Botswana would mark Nigeria’s 30th group stage win in WAFCON history, having played 38 matches (W29 D5 L3) — an unparalleled achievement on the continent.

The Super Falcons started their 2024 campaign in style with a commanding 3-0 win over Tunisia. Barcelona star Asisat Oshoala scored the opener to register her 14th career WAFCON goal, having now scored in four different editions — 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2024.

Nigeria were dominant throughout the match, registering 24 goal attempts and nine shots on target, while preventing Tunisia from testing their goalkeeper. They also completed 386 of 465 attempted passes, with defender Ashleigh Plumptre leading the way with a game-high 100 touches.

As they prepare to face Botswana, the Super Falcons will be confident of maintaining their strong tradition in second group games — and taking one step closer to another title run.

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