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WAFCON

WAFCON 2024: Confident Nigeria Set Sights on Botswana in Quest for 10th Title

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Group B leaders Nigeria will look to maintain their perfect start at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations when they face Botswana in their second group match on Thursday night in Casablanca.

The Super Falcons made a strong statement in their opening fixture, cruising to a 3-0 win over Tunisia at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium. A repeat victory against Botswana will guarantee them an early spot in the quarter-finals of the expanded 12-team competition.

Nigeria and Botswana last met at the 2022 tournament, also hosted by Morocco, where goals from Ifeoma Onumonu and Christy Ucheibe secured a comfortable 2-0 win for the West Africans.

This time, Head Coach Justine Madugu has a wealth of attacking options, with in-form players like Esther Okoronkwo—who was named Woman of the Match against Tunisia—Jennifer Echegini, Rinsola Babajide, and Chinwendu Ihezuo all expected to trouble the Southern Africans. They will be joined by established stars such as captain Rasheedat Ajibade, Asisat Oshoala, and Toni Payne.

In midfield, Madugu may opt for a trio of Christy Ucheibe, Halimatu Ayinde, and Jennifer Echegini to provide creativity and control. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie is set to continue between the posts, supported in defence by veterans Osinachi Ohale, Michelle Alozie, Ashley Plumptre, and Tosin Demehin.

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Botswana, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back after a narrow 1-0 loss to Algeria in their opening match. They will need to be at their best to contain Nigeria’s firepower, which saw Oshoala, Babajide, and Ihezuo all get on the scoresheet in the opener.

“As I said before the tournament began, we remain focused on our Mission X,” said Coach Madugu. “Victory over Botswana is a huge possibility, but we’re taking it one game at a time without underestimating any opponent.”

The match kicks off at 8:00 p.m. local time at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium.

Defender Ashleigh Plumptre with Sikiratu Isah and Jennifer Echegini at training on Tuesday.

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

WAFCON

Tensions Flare as Algeria Politicizes 2025 Women’s AFCON in Morocco

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The 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco was meant to be a celebration of African unity and female sporting excellence.

But just days into the tournament, the spotlight has shifted from football to politics, following a series of controversial actions by the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) that threaten to undermine the spirit of the competition.

In a tournament organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to highlight the continent’s progress in women’s football, Algeria has drawn sharp criticism for injecting political tensions into the sporting arena.

The most visible flashpoints include the Algerian women’s national team refusing to pose for the customary pre-match group photo with host nation Morocco, and the FAF’s use of a modified WAFCON logo that conspicuously erased all references to Morocco as the host country.

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Pieces of black tape were placed on the Algerian team’s bench to cover the logo of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which features the word “Morocco.”

Observers and stakeholders have condemned the moves as deliberate political provocations that challenge the values of fair play and pan-African solidarity.

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“This is not just poor sportsmanship—it’s an intentional act of symbolic erasure,” said one tournament official.

 “It sends a message that the competition’s legitimacy is in question simply because it is hosted by Morocco.”

The tension reflects deeper diplomatic rifts between the two North African neighbours, but critics argue that sport should remain a neutral ground.

“When football fields become extensions of political borders, the healing power of sport is lost,” a former African Union sports envoy warned.

Players themselves have expressed dismay at being caught in the middle of a geopolitical conflict.

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“We didn’t come here for this,” a West African player said. “We came to compete, not to carry the burden of political disputes.”

The controversy has placed CAF in the spotlight, with growing calls for decisive action. Many believe the governing body must assert its authority by sanctioning behaviour that compromises the unity and credibility of African football.

“If CAF fails to act,” one commentator noted, “it risks creating a dangerous precedent. What comes next—anthem protests, referee walkouts, or politically motivated match forfeits?”

Critics stress that this is not a call for Algeria’s exclusion, but a call for order. The silence of governing bodies, they warn, could pave the way for future disruptions that overshadow the achievements of the athletes themselves.

“This tournament should be about African women making history,” said a regional football analyst. “Instead, it risks becoming a case study in how not to mix politics with sport.”

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As CAF deliberates its response, the integrity of the Women’s AFCON—and African football more broadly—hangs in the balance.

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WAFCON 2024: Mali Edge Tanzania 1-0 in Tight Group C Encounter

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Mali clinched a hard-fought 1-0 win over Tanzania in their Group C opener at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Berkane on Monday evening, boosting their chances of advancing in the expanded continental tournament.

The decisive goal came in first-half stoppage time through Saratou Traoré, who calmly slotted home from the centre of the box after a well-worked set-piece routine.

Her precise finish into the bottom right corner proved enough to separate the two sides in a match that was high on effort but short on goals.

Tanzania responded with urgency in the second half, carving out several clear opportunities. Stumai Athumani nearly levelled with a powerful header in the 56th minute, forcing a sharp save from Mali goalkeeper Fatoumata Karentao.

Elizabeth Chenge also came close later on, but Mali’s defence remained resolute.

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Karentao delivered a standout performance, commanding her area with authority and making key saves to preserve her side’s slender advantage.

Despite Tanzania’s attacking push—particularly in stoppage time where they earned late free kicks and sustained pressure—they were unable to find a breakthrough.

Donisia Minja’s effort in the 95th minute sailed over the bar, ending their hopes of a late equaliser.

The win gives Mali a crucial three points in a tightly contested Group C, enhancing their prospects of progressing to the knockout stage. Tanzania, meanwhile, will need a response in their next fixture to stay in the hunt for qualification.

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Banyana Banyana Begin WAFCON Title Defence with Commanding Win Over Ghana

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Reigning champions South Africa opened their 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign with an assured 2-0 victory over Ghana in their Group C opener on Monday in Oujda, Morocco.

First-half goals from Linda Motlhalo and Jermaine Seoposenwe sealed the win for Banyana Banyana, who wasted no time asserting their credentials as one of the favourites in the expanded 12-team tournament.

Coach Desiree Ellis’ side controlled the tempo from the onset and were rewarded in the 28th minute after a VAR review confirmed a penalty for a foul on Noxolo Cesane. Motlhalo calmly converted, sending Ghanaian goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan the wrong way.

Just six minutes later, South Africa doubled their lead through Seoposenwe, who latched onto a precise through ball from full-back Lebohang Ramalepe and finished clinically into the far corner.

Ghana, returning to the continental stage after missing the 2022 edition, struggled to cope with South Africa’s pace and organisation in the first half. Though the Black Queens showed more attacking intent after the break, they were left frustrated by missed opportunities. Evelyn Badu and Alice Kusi both rattled the crossbar, while South African goalkeeper Andile Dlamini pulled off a string of important saves to maintain her clean sheet.

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South Africa expertly managed the closing stages, introducing substitutes Hildah Magaia and Ronnel Donnelly to consolidate possession and stifle Ghana’s late attempts at a comeback.

The result extends South Africa’s strong record in WAFCON openers, with the team having now won their last three tournament curtain-raisers, including notable victories over Nigeria in 2018 and 2022.

Ghana must now regroup quickly, with crucial matches against Mali and Tanzania to come in a competitive Group C.

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