As the group stage of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) progresses, the battle for the coveted Golden Boot is heating up with familiar names and emerging talents lighting up the scoring charts.

Nigeria’s Chinwendu Ihezuo added to her tally with a second goal in the tournament, firmly placing herself among the early contenders for the Top Scorer award. With the Super Falcons eyeing another deep run, Ihezuo’s consistent form could prove decisive.

However, the spotlight currently shines brightest on Morocco’s captain and talisman, Ghizlane Chebbak, who has picked up where she left off in the previous edition. The 34-year-old, who was both the Best Player and Top Scorer in 2022, has already netted four goals in two games, accounting for the majority of the Atlas Lionesses’ six goals so far. Her sharp instincts and composed finishing make her the frontrunner in the Golden Boot race.

Chebbak shares the top spot with Nguenar Ndiaye of Senegal, who has also scored four times, courtesy of two braces—against DR Congo and Zambia. The 30-year-old forward has showcased her knack for rising to big occasions, reinforcing her reputation as one of Senegal’s most dependable attacking weapons.

Zambia’s star striker Barbra Banda has made her usual explosive entrance, opening the tournament with a goal and following it up with a brace against Senegal. Her three goals put her in close pursuit of the leaders, as she aims to replicate her goal-scoring heroics from previous continental and global outings.

Not far behind are Racheal Kundananji of Zambia and Mama Diop of Senegal, both with two goals apiece. Kundananji’s blistering pace and powerful strikes have been crucial for Zambia, while Diop’s aerial prowess and intelligent positioning have helped maintain Senegal’s attacking edge.

Veteran names continue to make an impact, underlining the value of experience at the tournament. Alongside Chebbak and Ndiaye, Diop (30), Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala (30), and Algeria’s Ghoutia Karchouni (30) have all registered goals, proving that age is not a barrier to excellence. These seasoned campaigners bring leadership and composure, attributes that often prove decisive in tightly contested matches.

The resurgence of players like Jermaine Seoposenwe of South Africa, who scored a memorable opening goal in the 2022 edition against Nigeria, further reflects the enduring influence of experienced stars at WAFCON.

With the final round of group matches set to unfold, the race for the Golden Boot is far from settled. As the knockout stages loom, the battle among Chebbak, Ndiaye, Banda, Ihezuo, and others promises to intensify, setting the stage for a thrilling climax to the tournament’s honours.

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West African rivals Ghana and Mali are set for a crucial showdown in Group C of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 on Friday at the Berkane Stadium, with both sides carrying contrasting form and fortunes into their fifth tournament encounter.

This fixture has never failed to produce a winner, and Friday’s clash promises to be no different. In their previous four WAFCON meetings—all at the group stage—Ghana have won three times, while Mali claimed victory once, notably knocking out host nation Ghana in 2018 to reach the semi-finals for the first time in their history.

But this time, the stakes are particularly high for the Black Queens, who suffered a 2-0 defeat to South Africa in their opening match. Another loss would mark Ghana’s first-ever WAFCON campaign to begin with back-to-back defeats, and would all but extinguish their hopes of reaching the knockout stage.

Historically, Ghana have never progressed beyond the group stage after failing to win either of their first two matches (as in 2008 and 2014). Their recent form in WAFCON has been worrisome—winless in their last three matches (D1 L2)—and they have failed to win their second group match in each of the last three editions (D2 L1). The Black Queens could also suffer consecutive group-stage defeats in a single tournament for only the second time, the last being in 2010.

In contrast, Mali arrive with momentum. The 1-0 win over Tanzania in their opening match marked their first-ever opening-day victory in eight WAFCON appearances, and also their first-ever clean sheet in the tournament, thanks to goalkeeper Fatoumata Karentao’s five saves.

Saratou Traoré opened her WAFCON scoring account with a clinical finish—her only shot on target—while Aïcha Samaké impressed in midfield with a team-high 74 touches.

Mali are now on a three-game group-stage winning streak and have scored in their last six group matches. Historically, matchday two has been their strongest: four of their six all-time WAFCON victories have come in second group games, with a solid record of W4 D1 L2 in those fixtures.

A win for Mali would almost certainly guarantee qualification for the quarter-finals, underlining their growing reputation as genuine WAFCON contenders, while a defeat for Ghana would signal a potential early exit and prompt major questions about the future of the once-dominant West African powerhouse.

With pride, history, and progression on the line, Friday’s clash is set to be one of the most pivotal matches of the group stage.

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Tanzania’s Twiga Stars will be looking to defy history when they take on reigning champions South Africa in a crucial Group C clash at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda this Friday, as the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2024 enters a decisive phase.

The two sides will be meeting for the second time in WAFCON finals history, their first encounter dating back to the 2010 tournament opener, which South Africa won 2-1 on home soil. In that match, Mamphasha Popela and a late Mamello Makhabane penalty sealed victory for Banyana Banyana, after Esther Chabruma had levelled for Tanzania just before halftime.

South Africa, who kicked off their 2024 title defence with a 2-0 win over Ghana, are brimming with confidence as they aim to cement their place in the quarter-finals. They boast a strong record against East African opponents at WAFCON, including a 3-1 victory over Burundi in the 2022 group stage. In total, Banyana have played four matches against East African teams, with two wins and one defeat—a 2-1 setback against Ethiopia in 2004.

In contrast, Tanzania’s WAFCON campaign has been a tale of missed chances and narrow defeats. Their 1-0 loss to Mali in the opening match of the current tournament marked their fourth consecutive WAFCON finals defeat, leaving them still in search of their first-ever point at the continental showpiece.

The Twiga Stars have failed to score in their last two tournament matches, with their only three WAFCON goals coming in the first halves of their first two appearances. Notably, Tanzania has never scored the opening goal in a WAFCON match, and six of the nine goals they’ve conceded have come in the first half—a trend they will need to reverse if they are to stand any chance against a well-drilled South African side.

This match also marks the first time Tanzania will face a defending WAFCON champion, making the challenge even more formidable. Their only other second group match appearance came in 2010, when they fell 3-2 to Mali despite a spirited effort.

For South Africa, a win will virtually seal a place in the knockout stage and keep them on course for a successful title defence. For Tanzania, it is a must-win match to keep their slim qualification hopes alive and possibly earn a historic first point at the finals.

With history, form, and pressure all weighing heavily, Friday’s clash promises to be a true test of resilience and ambition for the East Africans—and a chance for Banyana Banyana to reaffirm their continental dominance.

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