The semi-finals for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is taking place today, Tuesday July 22 in Morocco. By the way, as a parenthesis, why are we still calling stuff a year behind because of the 2020 pandemic? At what point are we going to go back to the normal schedule? Tokyo 2020 took place in 2021, AFCON 2023 in 2024, etc; just change the naming already! As I was saying, the semi-finals will see the hosts, the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco take on the Black Queens of Ghana, while the Super Falcons of Nigeria, record nine-time champions, will meet the Banyana Banyana of South Africa. The Confederation of African Football has doubled the prize money for the cup winners who will get $1 million for their performance.

The tournament has highlighted the competitiveness of the women football on the continent. This is the 13th edition of the biggest women’s footballing event in Africa. So far, we have seen beautiful football, and been impressed by quite a few amazing players. The highly anticipated Zambian duo, Barbra Banda, 2024 BBC Women’s footballer of the year and 2nd most expensive women signing, and Racheal Kundananji, the 2023 Goal50 Women’s Footballer of the year and 2023 Best Goal Trophy from Mundo Deportivo, did not shine, and the Copper queens were obliterated by the Super Falcons 5-0. At this point, the Nigerians look like the favorite to win the title, as they have not conceded a goal so far. Will this be the year of a 10th trophy?

Ghizlane Chebbak of Morocco has shone throughout, saving her team with a hat-trick to defeat Mali 3-1. Thus far, she is tying the place for the tournament’s top scorer with Senegal Nguenar Ndiaye with 4 goals. The competition is still ongoing, and she might very well win the top scorer title. Last time, when Morocco hosted the cup 3 years ago, they reached the finals. They are led by Jorge Vilda, Spain’s Women’s coach who guided Spain to the world cup win in 2023. With the home court advantage, will they be this year’s winners?

Goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan of the Black Queens of Ghana has also shone throughout the tournament. This is the first time Ghana returns to the WAFCON semi-finals since 2016. At this point, they defeated Algeria by penalty shoot out to make it to the semi-finals. Can they defeat Morocco to make it to the finals?

South Africa is the current cup holder, but had to squeeze past Senegal in 4-1 penalty shoot out, after a 0-0 draw (South Africa is this year’s Women African Cup of Nations Champion). Goalkeeper Andile Dlamini has produced good saves which has kept her team in the competition. Will the defending champions, the Banyana Banyana, repeat the exploit?

The finals will take place on Saturday, July 26. May the best team win, and may it be a celebration of the best football!