The 2022  Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is now in full flow. CAFOnline has put together a quirky A to Z of WAFCON 2022 with the tournament’s interesting facts and stats.

A to Z of WAFCON 2022

A – Four-time African Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala is in fine form and looking forward to helping Nigeria further furnish their trophy cabinet.

B – Barbara Banda, who is the only player in Olympics history to score back-to-back hattricks, is a big miss for Zambia, who are gunning for their first continental victory.

C – For the first time in the history of the WAFCON, there will be three female coaches at the tournament, including Gaoletlhoo Nkutlwisang of Botswana, Kai Tomety from Togo and South Africa’s Desiree Ellis.

D – Four nations are making their debuts at this year’s edition – Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi and Togo.

E – For the first time in the history of the competition, East Africa is represented by two teams – debutants Burundi and Uganda.

F – Cameroonian right back Falone Meffometou gave birth last year and is excited to return to action for her first major tournament since giving birth. She is an inspiration to many young girls and women.

G – Gloris Gakiza from Burundi is the youngest player at the tournament, aged just 14 years and seven months.

H – History has been written as for the first time WAFCON has 12 teams – an expansion from eight teams.

I – There has been a 150% increase in the prize money from $200,000 to $500,000 for the winning team with the total prize money going from $975,000 to $2.4m.

J – A record 600+ journalists are covering this year’s WAFCON.

K – Thembi Kgatlana deserves the attention. Top scorer at the last WAFCON edition in 2018 with five goals and of course we have not forgotten her wonder goal at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.

L – For this year’s Legacy Workshop, CAF trained 30 Moroccan women coaches before the start of the tournament.

M – Morocco is the first North African country to host the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in the 24-year history of the continental competition.

N – Nigeria are seeking an unprecedented record 10th WAFCON title

O – Onome Ebi, featuring at her seventh WAFCON, is the oldest player at the tournament at the age of 39 years and two months.

P – Pedigree. Who will stop Nigeria who come into this tournament with experience, exposure and absolute finesse, having won nine of the past 11 editions of the WAFCON? Their pedigree is second to none!

Q – The big QUESTION is who will win this tournament?

R – The Year Of The Return. Tunisia (2008), Morocco (2000), Uganda (2000) and Senegal (2012) are back to the big stage and will be hoping to make a mark.

S – Salma Mukansanga from Rwanda, who is one of three history-making female referees to be selected for this year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar, officiated the opening game of the tournament.

T – The Technical Study Group is comprised of an incredible team of former internationals now plying their trade as coaches, including Amani Boukare (Tunisia assistant coach), Clementine Toure (Cote d’Ivoire head coach), Jacqui Shipanga (Namibia Technical Director), Mercy Tagoe (Ghana head coach), Radia Fertoul (Algeria) and Shilene Booysen (South Sudan head coach).

U – Unpredictable. It is true that Nigeria are a continental powerhouse but there is something about this year’s edition that speaks of upsets and surprises, but we shall wait and see. Fancy some drama?

V – For the first time ever, all games at the WAFCON will make use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

W – For the first time ever, the WAFCON is being broadcast across 60+ countries worldwide on all continents, including on the BBC, BeIN, Canal+, SuperSport, StarTimes and free-to-air television stations across Africa among others.

Y – YES, we promise you will love every minute of the tournament.

Z – Fresh from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, all eyes are on Zambia to poise a challenge at the continental showpiece, even in the absence of poster girl Barbara Banda.