The quote “Change is the only constant” is attributed Greek philosopher Heraclitus, but this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations may have taken the maxim to an extreme. Originally intended to feature 12 teams, the Confederation of African Football decided to increase the number of teams to 16 after the end of qualification. To fill the last four spots in the tournament, CAF selected the highest ranked teams from the second qualifying round participants who had initially failed to reach WAFCON.
In February, just a month before the scheduled start of the tournament, confusion broke loose regarding the tournament. Peace Mabe, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture announced that this year’s WAFCON host, Morocco, had indicated it could no longer hold the tournament and South Africa would assume hosting duties. Mabe walked that statement back just two days later. On 5 March, just 12 days prior to the scheduled kickoff, CAF announced the tournament would still be held in Morocco but the start date would be pushed back from 17 March to 26 July.
Now the delay is almost over. Let’s take a look at the 16 nations competing in this year’s WAFCON.
Group A
Group A features the host Morocco, Algeria, Kenya, and Senegal. All four teams will remain in Rabat for their group stage matches. The hosts stay in Moulay El Hassan Stadium for their first three games.
Algeria (FIFA Ranking: 74)
The Fennecs make their second straight and seventh overall WAFCON appearance.
Best Finish: Quarter Final (2024)
How They Qualified:
Algeria defeated South Sudan 8-0 on aggregate in the First Round behind a 5-0 victory on the road in Juba and 3-0 in Blida.) The Fennecs faced Cameron in second round qualifying in October, advancing 3-1 on aggregate.
Group Stage Schedule:
· 26 July vs Senegal – Rabat Olympic Stadium, Rabat
· 30 July vs Morocco - Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat
· 3 August vs Kenya – Rabat Olympic Stadium, Rabat
Kenya (FIFA Ranking: 128)
This year is Kenya’s second WAFCON appearance and first since their debut in the 2016 edition.
How They Qualified: The Harambee Starlets drew Tunisia in the first qualification round. After both teams played to a 0-0 draw in Nairobi, Tereza Engesha netted a 4th minute goal to give Kenya the early lead. The Harambee Starlets managed to hold onto the lead for the next 86 minutes plus stoppage time to advance. Facing Gambia in the second round, Kenya found much more offense, winning 4-1 on aggregate.
Best Finish: Group Stage (2016)
Group Stage Schedule:
· 26 July vs Morocco - Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat
· 30 July vs Senegal - Rabat Olympic Stadium, Rabat
· 3 August vs Algeria - Rabat Olympic Stadium, Rabat
Morocco (FIFA Ranking: 64)
This year’s WAFCON will mark the Atlas Lionesses’ third straight and fifth overall tournament appearance.
Best Finish: Runners Up (2x, Most recent 2024)
How They Qualified: For the third consecutive WAFCON, Morocco serve as the tournament host.
Group Stage Schedule:
· 26 July vs Kenya – Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat
· 30 July vs Algeria– Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat
· 3 August vs Senegal - Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat
Senegal (FIFA Ranking: 79)
When they kick off for the first time, this year’s tournament marks the Lionesses of Teranga’s third consecutive and fourth overall appearance in the continental tournament.
How They Qualified: Senegal originally drew Chad as their first round opponent but Chad withdrew from the qualification process due to financial issues, allowing Senegal to advance directly. Paired with Ivory Coast in the second round, Senegal and Les Éléphantes battled to two consecutive goalless draws forcing the match to penalty kicks. The Lionesses of Teranga advanced to WAFCON after beating Ivory Coast 5-4 in the skills competition.
Best Finish: Quarter Final (2x, Most recent 2024)
Group Stage Schedule:
· 26 July vs Algeria – Rabat Olympic Stadium, Rabat
· 30 July vs Kenya – Rabat Olympic Stadium, Rabat
· 3 August vs Morocco - Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat
Group B
Group B features the most unique travel situation among the four groups. Group B games are split between Rabat and Casablanca. Adding to the uniqueness of the situation, the group’s highest-ranked team, South Africa, will not travel at all during the group stage. South Africa will remain in Casablanca for all three matches. The other teams, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, and Tanzania, will move between Casablanca and Rabat. The two cities are only about 58 miles (93 kilometers) apart. Any advantages gained by South Africa, one of the few nations to win this tournament previously, from their rivals’ travel could be marginal at best, but in tournaments those margins can matter.
Burkina Faso (FIFA Ranking: 118)
Burkina Faso are making their second overall appearance and first since 2022.
How They Qualified: Burkina Faso faced Burundi in the first round of qualifying. The Lady Stallions grabbed the early advantage, winning the first match 1-0. In the second half of the tilt, Burkina Faso turned up the pressure. Liaoning Shenbei’s Adèle Kabré netted a hat trick, and Charlotte Millogo added another to help Burkina Faso cruise into the next round on a 5-1 aggregate. In the second round, the Lady Stallions shut out Togo over both legs, advancing to WAFCON on a 3-0 aggregate.
Best Finish: Group Stage (2022)
Group Stage Schedule:
· 27 July vs Ivory Coast - Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Rabat
· 31 July vs Tanzania - Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Rabat
· 4 August vs South Africa - Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca
Ivory Coast (FIFA Ranking: 72)
Ivory Coast are making their third overall appearance in WAFCON and their first since 2014.
How They Qualified: Les Éléphantes advanced straight to the second round of qualification due to having the sixth-best FIFA ranking among CAF nations participating. Ivory Coast’s second round match went to penalties after both matches finished 0-0. Senegal advanced after Les Éléphantes failed to convert one of their penalties. Ivory Coast received their spot in WAFCON when CAF expanded the tournament from 12 to 16 teams and brought in the four highest-ranked defeated teams from the second round.
Best Finish: 3rd (2014)
Group Stage Schedule:
· 27 July vs Burkina Faso – Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Rabat
· 31 July vs South Africa – Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca
· 4 August vs Tanzania - Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Rabat
South Africa (FIFA Ranking: 57)
South Africa are one of WAFCON’s perennial powers. Banyana Banyana have qualified for every edition of the tournament and are one of three nations to be crowned champion. Including the two unofficial editions, South Africa has made the second most appearances of all participants and are riding a streak that goes back to 1995.
How They Qualified: By virtue of being among the top six CAF nations in the FIFA rankings (2nd in confederation), South Africa received a direct pass into the second round of qualifying. In the second round, South Africa faced the Democratic Republic of Congo. After playing to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their matchup, it looked like the second leg might be destined for penalties as the match hit the 90-minute mark tied at 0. Tigres forward Thembi Kgatlana had other ideas, finding the back of the net in the first minute of stoppage time to send Banyana Banyana through.
Best Finish: Champions (2022)
Group Stage Schedule:
· 27 July vs Tanzania - Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca
· 31 July vs Ivory Coast - Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca
· 4 August vs Burkina Faso - Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca
Tanzania (FIFA Ranking: 122)
Tanzania are making their second consecutive and third overall appearance in the tournament.
How They Qualified: Tanzania faced off against two-time WAFCON champion Equatorial Guinea in the first round of qualifying. The Twiga Stars cruised to a 3-1 win in the first half of the matchup. A 1-1 draw in the return fixture sealed Tanzania’s place in the second round. Tanzania then blanked Ethiopia over both halves of their second-round matchup to secure their third WAFCON appearance.
Best Finish: Group stage (2X, Most Recent: 2024)
Group Stage Schedule:
· 27 July vs South Africa - Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca
· 31 July vs Burkina Faso - Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Rabat
· 4 August vs Ivory Coast - Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Rabat
Group C
Group C may be the most interesting group for US-based fans as rosters in this group are full of NWSL talent, including some of the biggest names in the league. Kansas City’s Temwa Chawinga, NWSL’s two-time reigning MVP and Golden Boot winner, will take the field for Malawi. Orlando’s Barbara Banda leads a Zambian roster that includes Angel City’s Prisca Chilufya and Bay FC’s Racheal Kundananji. Nigeria’s roster features Gift Monday and Deb Abiodun, both of the Washington Spirit, as well as the Chicago Stars’ Michelle Alozie. This will be a fun group to watch.
Egypt (FIFA Ranking: 99)
This is Egypt’s third WAFCON appearance and first since 2016.
How They Qualified: Egypt faced Rwanda in the first round, winning the away leg 1-0 and then drawing the home match 2-2. In the second round, Egypt ran into a buzzsaw in the form of Ghana and lost both matches on a 7-0 aggregate. With a FIFA ranking of 95 at the time, Egypt had the fourth-highest rank of the defeated second-round teams and secured their place in WAFCON in the repechage.
Best Finish: Group Stage (2x, Most Recent: 2016)
Group Stage Schedule:
· 28 July vs Zambia - Rabat Olympic Stadium, Rabat
· 1 August vs Malawi - Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat
· 5 August vs Nigeria - Rabat Olympic Stadium, Rabat
Malawi (FIFA Ranking: 153)
This is Malawi’s WAFCON debut.
How They Qualified: Malawi advanced to the second round when their opponent, Congo, withdrew from qualifying due to a lack of matches. Malawi drew Angola as their second round opponent. The two teams played a 0-0 draw in their first match up. The second leg looked like it was following the same path until BK Häcken’s Faith Chinzimu scored a brace in the last 10 minutes of regulation to give Malawi the victory.
Best Finish: N/A
Group Stage Schedule:
· 28 July vs Nigeria - Al Medina Stadium, Rabat
· 1 August vs Egypt - Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat
· 5 August vs Zambia- Al Medina Stadium, Rabat
Nigeria (FIFA Ranking: 36)
From the tournament’s inception, the Super Falcons have dominated WAFCON. Nigeria has qualified for every iteration of the tournament, including the two unofficial years. They’ve won the tournament 10 times (12 if 1991 and 1995 are included) and are the reigning champions.
How They Qualified: Nigeria are CAF’s highest ranked team and advanced directly to the second round of qualifying. Facing Benin, the Super Falcons took the matchup’s first leg 2-0 behind goals from Pachuca’s Chinwendu Ihezuo and AFC Toronto’s Esther Okoronkwo. The second leg finished in a 1-1 draw, allowing Nigeria to advance on a 3-1 aggregate.
Best Finish: Champions (10x, Most Recent: 2024)
Group Stage Schedule:
· 28 July vs Malawi - Al Medina Stadium, Rabat
· 1 August vs Zambia - Al Medina Stadium, Rabat
· 5 August vs Egypt - Rabat Olympic Stadium, Rabat
Zambia (FIFA Ranking: 65)
Zambia are making their fourth consecutive and sixth overall WAFCON appearance this year.
How They Qualified: At the start of qualification, Zambia had the third highest FIFA ranking among CAF nations and advanced directly to the second round. The Copper Queens drew Namibia as their second round opponent. In the first leg, Bay FC’s Rachael Kundananji had a hat trick to lead Zambia to a 4-2 victory. In the return tilt, Kundananji added another goal along side ZESCO Ndola Girls’s Eneless Phiri and Angel City’s Prisca Chilufya to secure the Copper Queens place in WAFCON.
Best Finish: 3rd (2022)
Group Stage Schedule:
· 28 July vs Egypt - Rabat Olympic Stadium, Rabat
· 1 August vs Zambia - Al Medina Stadium, Rabat
· 5 August vs Nigeria - Al Medina Stadium, Rabat
Group D
Group D is possibly the most interesting group overall. The group features three of the confederations higher rated teams (Ghana, Cameroon, and Mali) and a debutant, Cape Verde. Ghana and Cameroon both advanced directly to the second round thanks to their FIFA rankings. Among the teams that entered the first round draw, Mali was ranked the second highest. This group could prove to be the most competitive in the group stage.
Cameroon (FIFA Ranking: 71)
The Indomitable Lionesses are another of the perennial WAFCON powers. This will be Cameroon’s 13th WAFCON appearance and first since 2022.
How They Qualified: At the start of qualification, Cameroon were ranked 69th by FIFA, the 5th best among CAF nations, granting them a direct spot in the second round. Cameroon faced Algeria in the last round of qualification and fell by a 3-1 aggregate score. The Indomitable Lionesses received their spot in WAFCON through the repechage.
Best Finish: Runner Up (4x, Most Recent: 2016)
Group Stage Schedule:
· 29 July vs Mali - Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca
· 2 August vs Ghana - Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca
· 6 August vs Cape Verde - Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca
Cape Verde (FIFA Ranking: 120)
Cape Verde is making their WAFCON debut.
How They Qualified: Cape Verde faced off against Guinea in the first round. The teams played to a 2-2 draw in the first leg of their matchup. In the second match, Cape Verde jumped out to a 3-0 lead within the first 28 minutes, behind a brace by Evy Pereira and a goal from Ivania Moreira. The match ended 4-1 sending Cape Verde through to the second round. Facing off against Mali, Cape Verde fell 1-0 in the home leg. In Bamako, Cape Verde played a first half that mirrored their second matchup against Guinea as they found the back of the net three times in the first 30 minutes. After 90 minutes, the score was 4-2, and Cape Verde advanced on a 4-3 aggregate.
Best Finish: N/A
Group Stage Schedule:
· 29 July vs Ghana - Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca
· 2 August vs Mali - Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca
· 6 August vs Cameroon - Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca
Ghana (FIFA Ranking: 60)
Ghana are one of the perennial powers appearing in WAFCON. The Black Queens have only failed to qualify for the tournament twice in its history (2012 and 2022). This will be Ghana’s second consecutive and 12th overall WAFCON appearance.
How They Qualified: Ghana advanced to the second round of qualifying by virtue of their FIFA ranking. In the second round, the Black Queens drew Egypt. Doris Boaduwaa scored four goals in two games to help Ghana rout Egypt 7-0 and lock in a WAFCON spot.
Best Finish: Runner Up (3x, Most Recent: 2006)
Group Stage Schedule:
· 29 July vs Cape Verde - Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca
· 2 August vs Cameroon - Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca
· 6 August vs Mali - Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca
Mali (FIFA Ranking: 84)
Mali will make their second consecutive and ninth overall WAFCON appearance in this year’s tournament.
How They Qualified: Mali cruised past Gabon in their first round matchup by a 10-1 aggregate. In the first leg, Boston Legacy’s Aïssata Traoré and Paris Saint-Germain’s Agueicha Diarra both scored first half braces to lead Les Aiglonnes to a 6-0 victory. Mali secured a spot in the second round with a 4-1 victory in the second leg of the tilt. Les Aiglonnes took an early advantage in their second round match up, winning 1-0 against Cape Verde in Praia. They were not as successful in the return half. Cape Verde jumped out to a 3-0 lead before the half hour mark. The match ended 4-2, sending Cape Verde through on a 4-3 aggregate. Mali received a spot in WAFCON through the repechage due to their FIFA ranking.
Best Finish: 4th (2018)
Group Stage Schedule:
· 29 July vs Cameroon - Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca
· 2 August vs Cape Verde - Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca
· 6 August vs Ghana - Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca
What Are the Stakes?
In addition to crowning a continental champion, this year’s tournament serves as CAF qualifying for next year’s Women’s World Cup. The four teams that make the semifinal round will secure CAF’s automatic spots. The four quarterfinal losers will go to a playoff and the winners of those matches will represent CAF in the inter-continental playoff looking to secure one of the last chance bids.
