WAFCON 2024 Finally Kicks Off After One-Year Delay, Showcasing Africa’s Top Women’s Football Talent

Morocco Welcomes Africa’s Top Women’s Teams as Barbra Banda Returns, South Africa Defends Title, and Nigeria Eyes Redemption at WAFCON 2024.

After a year-long delay, the 15th edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is set to begin in Morocco this weekend. Across three weeks of intense action, twelve national teams will battle for continental glory in what promises to be a thrilling and fiercely competitive tournament.

Elevated Stakes: Bigger Prizes and a Bold New Trophy for WAFCON 2024

This year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) arrives with meaningful upgrades, signaling the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) growing commitment to advancing women’s football across the continent. In line with its 2022 promise of increased investment, CAF has raised the tournament’s total prize pool by 45%, pushing it close to $3.5 million.

The champions of WAFCON 2024 will now earn a record-breaking $1 million — double the amount from the previous edition. The second- and third-place finishers will receive $500,000 and $350,000 respectively, while all twelve participating teams are guaranteed at least $125,000 for their efforts, including those that don’t progress past the group stage.

CAF also introduced a brand-new WAFCON trophy, a striking symbol of growth and empowerment. The design features twelve petal-like structures—each representing a participating team—spiraling into a blooming flower, capturing the spirit and evolution of African women’s football. At the top, a golden sphere etched with the African map rests on a sleek silver-and-gold body with a marble base, exuding elegance and pride.

Reflecting on the sport’s progress, former South African captain Amanda Dlamini remarked: “When I started, we played to exist. Today, young players compete to win. This trophy reflects that evolution. The dream is alive—and now it’s within reach.

Morocco Hosts WAFCON Again, Solidifying Its Role as a Continental Football Hub

Morocco continues to cement its place as a central force in African football, both in terms of infrastructure and hosting capacity. This year marks the second consecutive time the North African nation will stage the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), and it’s already confirmed to host the next edition as well. These responsibilities come alongside other major commitments — including the men’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in December and the highly anticipated 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal.

Back in 2022, WAFCON witnessed a historic turnout of over 60,000 fans for the final clash between Morocco and South Africa at the Stade Moulay Abdellah in Rabat. However, this year’s games will unfold in more intimate venues, as the main stadiums from the last edition are currently under renovation in preparation for the men’s AFCON.

In total, six stadiums across five cities — Rabat, Casablanca, Mohammedia, Oujda, and Berkane — will host the matches this year. Despite the tournament’s scheduling challenges, including its delay due to Nigeria and Zambia’s participation in the Paris Olympics, Morocco has demonstrated consistent readiness and infrastructure resilience.

Its continued investment in women’s football is evident in both its hosting capacity and the growing competitiveness of its national teams. As the tournament kicks off, Morocco is once again proving that it’s not just a participant in African football—it’s leading the way.

Powerhouse Teams Poised for Glory as WAFCON 2024 Kicks Off

Morocco has undergone a dramatic transformation in women’s football over the past few years. Having been absent from WAFCON for over two decades and never progressing beyond the group stage prior to 2022, the Atlas Lionesses shocked the continent with a run to the final during the last edition. This time, they enter as serious title contenders.

Though there’s been a recent change in leadership—with 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda now in charge—the team has retained much of its core. Captain Ghizlane Chebbak, who finished as joint top scorer in the last tournament, leads a squad heavily made up of home-based players. Their familiarity and on-field chemistry could prove crucial as they aim to go one better than their silver medal finish.

On the other side of the pitch, defending champions South Africa return determined to protect their crown. After years of falling just short—with five previous runner-up finishes—Banyana Banyana finally lifted the trophy in 2022. However, they’ll be without their star forward, Thembi Kgatlana, a former CAF Women’s Player of the Year, who is absent from this year’s tournament due to undisclosed personal reasons.

Despite her absence, South Africa’s roster remains stacked with experienced talent from their title-winning campaign. Striker Hildah Magaia, who netted twice in the 2022 final, and seasoned forward Jermaine Seoposenwe are among the familiar faces anchoring the squad. With such pedigree on display, the battle for WAFCON 2024 promises to be fierce from start to finish.

WAFCON 2024: Nigeria, Zambia Headline a Stacked Field of Title Contenders

When it comes to African women’s football, Nigeria’s Super Falcons are always part of the conversation. With a staggering 11 WAFCON titles to their name, they’ve long set the standard across the continent. But things haven’t been smooth sailing in recent years. Their exit at the semifinal stage in 2022—losing to hosts Morocco on penalties—was a stark reminder that the rest of Africa is catching up. It marked the first time in ten years that Nigeria left the competition without gold, and only the second time ever without any medal.

This year, the Falcons are returning with a vengeance, banking on a wealth of experience to reclaim their crown. Six-time African Women’s Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala leads a star-studded lineup that includes Rasheedat Ajibade, who shared the Golden Boot in 2022, and WAFCON veteran Francisca Ordega, a four-time champion. Most of the squad also featured in the thrilling 2023 World Cup encounter where Nigeria pushed eventual runners-up England to a dramatic penalty shootout.

Meanwhile, Zambia’s Copper Queens are eyeing a historic breakthrough. The team shocked many by finishing third in 2022—defeating Nigeria in the bronze medal match—and they’re coming back stronger. The biggest boost? The long-awaited WAFCON debut of their electric forward, Barbra Banda.

Banda, now the reigning African Women’s Player of the Year, was controversially excluded from the last tournament due to testosterone eligibility rules. She declined hormone therapy and missed out, but has since stormed back—scoring in the 2023 World Cup and becoming the first woman to net three Olympic hat-tricks. With the WAFCON stage finally hers, Banda is not only chasing goals but possibly Perpetua Nkwocha’s single-tournament scoring record of 11 goals.

She’ll be flanked by another prolific talent, Racheal Kundananji, as Zambia hopes to convert promise into their first continental title. “I feel like we are coming back victorious,” said Kundananji. “We’ve broken so many records—it’s our time to shine.”

With heavyweights like Nigeria and a surging Zambia ready for battle, WAFCON 2024 is shaping up to be the fiercest edition yet.