WAFCON
And Now, The Fantastic Four! WAFCON 2024 Presents Fireworks as Heavyweights Clash in Morocco
Only four teams remain in the race, and with each step forward, the stakes soar. After weeks of action, the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco is down to a quartet of continental powerhouses—each carrying a dream, each with a story of grit and ambition.
From Rabat to Casablanca, the semifinals promise drama, emotion, and history in the making.
On Tuesday, the spotlight shifts to two explosive matchups: host nation Morocco face Ghana in Rabat, while defending champions South Africa battle nine-time winners Nigeria in a heavyweight showdown in Casablanca.
Morocco vs Ghana: A Clash of Dreams and Grit
Three years ago, Morocco broke new ground by reaching the WAFCON final. That milestone lit a spark in a nation previously on the periphery of women’s football. In 2024, that spark has become a wildfire.
The Atlas Lionesses are no longer underdogs; they are contenders, driven by a raucous home crowd and the tactical acumen of former Spain coach Jorge Vilda.
Their path to the semifinals has been marked by resilience and flair, best illustrated in their 3-1 quarterfinal triumph over Mali, where talismanic striker Ibtissam Jraïdi bagged a brace to send the Olympic Stadium into raptures.
“There’s chemistry, there’s soul,” Vilda declared after the match. “This team knows how to endure and strike at the right time.”
But Ghana pose a very different threat. The Black Queens have emerged as one of the most determined sides in the competition, playing with a chip on their shoulder.
Dismissed by many ahead of the tournament, they’ve turned that slight into steel. They edged past Algeria in a tense quarterfinal shootout after a goalless draw, thanks largely to goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan’s heroics.
“This team has been underestimated for too long,” Ghana’s Swedish head coach Kim Björkegren said. “We want to shake things up.”
Ghana’s group stage included defending champions South Africa, dangerous Mali, and spirited Tanzania—a gauntlet through which they emerged with four points and the tournament’s best defensive record, conceding just twice.
With Alice Kusi pulling strings in midfield and Chantelle Boye injecting energy into every move, the Ghanaians look poised to upset the hosts.
It’s a contest of opposites: Morocco with the best attacking return (10 goals in four games), Ghana with the stingiest defense.
The atmosphere in Rabat will be electric, but Ghana’s resolve may be equal to the noise. “Playing the host nation is exciting, not pressure,” Kusi said with a grin.
South Africa vs Nigeria: Africa’s Heavyweight Rivalry Reignites
If ever a match deserved to be the final, it’s this. South Africa and Nigeria are two of the continent’s biggest names. Their rivalry is long defined by skill, grit, and championship pedigree. It resurfaces under the bright lights of Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca.
Nigeria have looked every inch like the team to beat. The Super Falcons breezed through the group stage with three wins, scoring four goals and conceding none.
Their quarterfinal against Zambia was a masterclass in dominance—a 5-0 victory that sent an ominous message to the rest of the field.
In their ranks, Nigeria boast some of the tournament’s standout performers.
Full-back Michelle Alozie’s overlapping runs have tormented defences, Rasheedat Ajibade has been a midfield engine, and Esther Okoronkwo leads the assist chart with three to her name.
Head coach Justine Madugu appears to have forged a unit that blends experience with cutting-edge.
But South Africa are not to be dismissed. The defending champions had a slower start, including a 1-1 group draw with Tanzania, but when it mattered most, they dug deep.
A goalless draw with Senegal in the quarterfinals led to a penalty shootout, where goalkeeper Andile Dlamini’s saves proved pivotal.
“There’s a fire, a collective memory,” said coach Desiree Ellis. “We know what this match means. We know what it takes to beat Nigeria.”
Indeed, the Banyana Banyana have done it before—most recently at WAFCON 2022, where they defeated Nigeria 2-1 en route to lifting the trophy.
With game-changers like Jermaine Seoposenwe, Hildah Magaia, and Lebogang Ramalepe, they have the tools to spring another surprise.
Statistically, Nigeria lead the pack: most goals scored (9), none conceded. But the margins in this rivalry are razor-thin, and Tuesday’s encounter could be decided by the smallest of details—or the boldest of plays.
A Tournament of Hope and Excellence
The final four are preparing for battle. The 2024 WAFCON has already written a compelling chapter in the story of African women’s football.
The Moroccans are chasing a maiden crown, driven by passionate support and renewed purpose. Ghana are fueled by redemption and resilience.
South Africans aim to make history with back-to-back titles. Nigeria is the most successful nation in the competition’s history. They want to reclaim their throne. Nigeria also wants to remind the continent of their pedigree.
Tuesday’s semifinals are more than matches—they are moments of reckoning, where legacies will be tested and futures forged.
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By Kunle Solaja.
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has been postponed, with Africa’s football governing body announcing new dates for the tournament in Morocco.
The Confederation of African Football confirmed that the 2026 edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) will now take place from 25 July to 16 August 2026, instead of the earlier scheduled dates of 17 March to 3 April 2026.
Morocco was awarded the hosting rights for the continental showpiece in October 2024, with preparations already underway for what is expected to be one of the biggest editions of the competition. It doubles as the qualification tournament for the Women’s World Cup, as the top four finishers will feature in the global event.
CAF said the decision to move the tournament followed consultations with FIFA and other key stakeholders.
In a statement, CAF explained that the adjustment was made “to ensure the success of this important women’s competition, in the light of certain unforeseen circumstances.”
Although the organisation did not elaborate on the nature of those circumstances, the rescheduling shifts the tournament to the traditional mid-year international football window, which is often more favourable for player availability and logistics.
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is the continent’s flagship women’s football competition and serves as a crucial platform for the development and visibility of the women’s game in Africa.
Morocco, which successfully hosted the 2022 edition of the tournament, is expected to leverage its modern stadium infrastructure and growing reputation as a major football events destination to deliver another high-profile competition.
CAF expressed confidence that the revised schedule will allow all stakeholders to adequately prepare for the tournament.
“Preparations for the WAFCON 2026 are underway, and all the parties are confident that it will be very successful,” the governing body stated.
The tournament will bring together Africa’s top women’s national teams competing for continental supremacy, with the rescheduling expected to give organisers additional time to ensure optimal preparations for the event.
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The Confederation of African Football has announced that it will issue an official communication within the next 48 hours regarding the situation surrounding the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026.
In a brief message posted on social media, CAF indicated that the matter has been under extensive discussion in recent weeks and is currently receiving urgent attention at the highest levels of the organisation.
“CAF will communicate within the next 48 hours on the situation regarding the #TotalEnergiesWAFCON26. There have been several discussions over the past weeks. The matter is receiving urgent and high-level attention,” the confederation stated.
Although CAF did not provide specific details about the issue under review, the statement suggests that senior officials within the continental governing body are working toward a resolution.
The development has sparked anticipation across the African football community, particularly among national teams preparing for the women’s continental championship.
The Confederation of African Football is expected to clarify the circumstances and outline the next steps for the tournament when it releases its official update within the stipulated timeframe.
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Reigning African champions Nigeria produced a commanding response, defeating Cameroon 3–1 on Tuesday in the second of their pre-WAFCON international friendlies in Yaounde.
Three days after suffering a narrow 1–0 loss at the Military Stadium, the Super Falcons returned to the same venue. They delivered a far more assured performance, underlining their pedigree as perennial continental powerhouses.
Head Coach Justin Madugu rang the changes, making seven alterations to the starting line-up that featured in Saturday’s defeat. However, it was Cameroon who struck first again, netting in the seventh minute to momentarily raise concerns of a repeat setback.
Nigeria responded with composure and growing authority.
Forward Chinwendu Ihezuo restored parity in the 32nd minute, rising above her marker to power home a header from a well-delivered cross by Rinsola Babajide. The equaliser settled the Falcons, who began to dictate tempo and press with greater coordination.
Just before the break, the comeback was completed. After a scramble inside the Cameroonian box, Babajide reacted quickest to fire home in the 43rd minute, turning provider into scorer to give Nigeria a 2–1 lead at halftime.
Madugu’s reshaped midfield proved decisive, pressing higher up the pitch, shutting down central channels and forcing the Lionesses into speculative long balls.
The Falcons extended their advantage in the 64th minute. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, influential down the right flank, delivered a teasing cross into the penalty area. Michelle Alozie attacked the ball with conviction, launching into a flying header that made it 3–1 and effectively sealed the contest.
Both sides treated the two-match series as crucial preparation for the 14th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to take place in Morocco from March 17 to April 3.
For Nigeria, the emphatic victory not only avenged Saturday’s defeat but also reaffirmed their status as Africa’s benchmark in women’s football heading into the continental showpiece.
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