WAFCON
Karchouni’s early strike secures Algeria’s opening win over Botswana
Algeria kicked off their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2024 with a narrow but vital 1-0 victory over Botswana in their Group B opener, thanks to an early strike from Inter Milan midfielder Ghoutia Karchouni.
The match, played at the Père Jégo on Stadium night, saw Algeria take control from the outset.
Early goals continue to be the order of the tournament so far, as the North Africans broke the deadlock in just the 10th minute when Inès Boutaleb delivered a precise cut-back from the right flank, which Karchouni calmly slotted home to hand the North Africans the lead.
Despite the early goal, Botswana showed resilience and created opportunities of their own, registering 10 shots with three on target. However, Algeria’s defence held firm, and goalkeeper Chaima Bouheni made crucial saves to preserve the lead.
Algeria, who looked firmly in control of much of the proceedings, enjoyed the better attacking statistics overall, finishing with 14 total shots and seven on target.
They kept the Botswana defence under constant pressure but were unable to extend their advantage.
As the match entered its final minutes, Botswana pushed for an equaliser, but Algeria’s organised backline and timely interventions ensured they claimed all three points.
The win sees Algeria make an encouraging start to Group B, while Botswana will be left ruing missed chances but can take positives from a competitive performance against one of the group’s favourites.
Botswana will need to put the disappointment behind them when they face the Super Falcons on Thursday, while Algeria will look to continue with their form when they take on Tunisia.
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For the first time in three consecutive editions, Nigeria’s Super Falcons have surged to the top of their group after just a match. This follows their 3-0 defeat of Tunisia on Sunday and the 1-0 win of Algeria over Botswana in the same Group B.
This is a far cry from the episodes of 2018 and 2022. The signs were there that a determined Super Falcons were set to break their patterns of first-match jitters as they stamped their authority early in the game.
What a fast start as Asisat Oshoala smashed a glancing header just four minutes into the game from an Omorinsola Babajide’s free kick.
Babajide, the assist provider to Asisat, then turned a scorer herself with a second goal in the added time of the first half.
Chiwendu Ihezuo completed the rout with her 84th-minute goal. The result is a momentum boostas the dominant performance and three early points give the Super Falcons breathing room in a group that includes unpredictable opponents.
So, the Mission X is activated,aiming for a record-extending 10th title. The mission has begun in style, boosting confidence for the knockout stages.
They will now face the third-placed Botswana on Thursday, while second-placed Algeria face the bottom-placed Tunisia in a North African derby.
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The hunter becomes the hunted as reigning champions South Africa kick off their WAFCON 2024 campaign against Ghana on Monday at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco.
After clinching their historic first title in 2022, Banyana Banyana return with a target on their backs. Coach Desiree Ellis, leading the side in her fourth WAFCON as head coach, acknowledges the heightened expectations. “This is a new tournament. Teams have evolved. We’re contenders like everyone else,” she said.
Captain Refiloe Jane emphasised the importance of a strong start: “Ghana are a powerhouse. We want to win the opener to set the tone.”
South Africa’s squad blends experienced stars like Jane, Linda Motlhalo, and Jermaine Seoposenwe, with promising newcomers such as Ronnel Donnelly. With back-to-back group-stage wins over Nigeria in previous editions, the team brims with belief.
For Ghana, this marks a return to WAFCON after missing the 2022 edition. Head coach Kim Björkegren, in charge since January, sees the tournament as a fresh start. “We’re the dark horses in Group C. There’s quality in this squad,” he said.
Veteran Portia Boakye leads a largely new-look team featuring debutants like Evelyn Badu and Comfort Yeboah. Goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan added: “We’re underdogs, but we want to win.”
The match renews one of WAFCON’s oldest rivalries. Ghana and South Africa first met at the inaugural tournament in 1998 and have since clashed seven times, with Ghana holding four wins to South Africa’s two.
As the champions aim to protect their crown, Ghana seek redemption — setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown in Group C.
The Super Falcons honoured the memory of late Nigerian goalkeeping icon Peter Rufai during their opening match of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, with all players donning black armbands in tribute.
But Asisat Oshoala went a step further with a personal homage.
In Nigeria’s 3-0 win over Tunisia at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Sunday, Oshoala, a legend of women’s football in her own right, wore two white wristbands bearing the handwritten inscription “Peter Rufai” alongside a small image of the late goalkeeper.
Oshoala opened the scoring for Nigeria in just the third minute, setting the tone for a dominant performance. Her celebration after the goal drew attention to the wristbands, as she pointed skyward in a moving tribute.
Rufai, a former Super Eagles captain and one of Nigeria’s most celebrated goalkeepers, passed away last week, prompting an outpouring of grief from across the football community.
Oshoala’s gesture added a poignant layer to an already emotional occasion, as the Super Falcons began their WAFCON 2025 campaign with victory while honouring one of Nigeria’s football greats.
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