Tag: Copper queens

Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 in Morocco

On By Dr. Y.In Great MomentsLeave a comment
Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) logo

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.

Flag and map of Nigeria
Flag and map of Nigeria

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?

Flag of Morocco

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?

Map and Flag of Ghana
Map and Flag of Ghana

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?

Flag of South Africa

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!

South Africa is this year’s Women African Cup of Nations Champion

On By Dr. Y.In Great MomentsLeave a comment

Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) logo

The 14th edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) just ended with a win by the Banyana Banyana, South Africa’s national female team. The final was a showdown between the Banyana Banyana of South Africa and the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco in Rabat, Morocco’s capital. The Copper Queens of Zambia beat the Super Falcons of Nigeria to take home the bronze medal of the tournament.

South Africa wins championship (Source: pmnewsnigeria.com)

The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations took place over 3 weeks in Morocco. During these 3 weeks, the best female teams on the continent competed for the top title of champion of Africa. Compared to the men’s tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations which has been in existence for almost 7 decades, the Women’s tournament is relatively young at 28 years of age, and also usually is not vividly followed. This year brought in record following with a full stadium at 50,000 occupancy for the final, which is an amazing feat for a Women’s competition on the continent. The most titled nation in WAFCON history is Nigeria with 11 titles, followed by Equatorial Guinea with 2 titles, and now South Africa with 1 title.

South Africa had been coming 2nd for 4 tournaments taking home the silver medal in 2000, 2008, 2012, and 2018, and this year it finally took home the gold medal. Striker Hildah Magaia scored twice to lead her country to victory 2-1 against Morocco.

The Atlas Lionesses (Source: football256.com)

There were top performances and goals from the different countries participating. Some players stood out including the Moroccan captain Ghizlane Chebbak, Nigeria Rasheedat Ajibade, and South African Hildah Magaia who have been the tournament’s top scorers. Cameroon’s Ajara Nchout and Nigeria’s Sumayah Komuntale also shined by their performances.

Congratulations to the champions the Banyana Banyana of South Africa, and to all the women who proudly represented their countries at the tournament and made us happy.