WAFCON
WAFCON 2024: Do-or-Die Clash as Ghana, Tanzania Battle for Quarterfinal Spot
Ghana and Tanzania will square off in a high-stakes final Group C encounter at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with both sides desperate to secure a place in the quarterfinals. The match, scheduled for 8:00 p.m. local time at Berkane Stadium, has effectively become a knockout tie, with each team holding just one point from their opening two games.
The pressure is intense as both teams know anything short of victory could send them packing. For Ghana’s Black Queens, it’s a test of character. For Tanzania’s Twiga Stars, it’s a historic opportunity to make the knockout rounds for the first time.
Tanzania Eyeing a Place in History
Tanzania are hoping to become the first East African team to reach the knockout stage since Ethiopia’s semifinal run in the 2004 edition. Buoyed by their spirited 1-1 draw with reigning champions South Africa, the Twiga Stars come into this clash with renewed confidence and belief.
Coach Bakari Shime believes his team is primed to deliver:
“The way we played against South Africa gave us confidence. We want to play our style of football and execute it well against Ghana.”
Central to Tanzania’s hopes is captain and forward Opa Clement Tukumbuke, who scored the team’s first goal of the tournament in the draw against South Africa. With leadership and a scoring instinct, Tukumbuke is expected to spearhead the charge.
There’s also a potential boost from Al Nassr forward Clara Luvanga, who has recovered from an ankle injury and could make her long-awaited WAFCON debut.Luvanga, a graduate of Tanzania’s youth teams, trained on Sunday night and could be called upon to provide attacking spark.
Tanzania’s only previous point in WAFCON history came in their last outing, following four straight losses in earlier editions. A win on Monday could rewrite their story.
Ghana Counting on Experience and Resolve
For Ghana, the pressure is immense. With only one goal scored from 31 attempts over two matches, efficiency in front of goal remains their Achilles’ heel. But head coach Kim Björkegren is not throwing in the towel.
“We still have everything in our hands. Yes, we hoped to score more goals earlier, but now we need just one win to move on. I believe in the players,” said the Swedish tactician.
Ghana will be without forward Doris Baduawaa, who assisted the team’s lone goal against Mali but is now ruled out. However, the Black Queens have options, including Princess Marfo and Princella Adubea, who could step in to lead the attack.
Despite their pedigree, Ghana have struggled to make deep runs at recent WAFCONs, making it past the group stage only once in their last five appearances — in 2016.
As Monday’s decisive clash looms, both sides know the path to the quarterfinals is narrow but clear: win or go home.
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Group C Standings (After Two Matches):
- South Africa: 4 points
- Mali: 4 points
- Ghana: 1 point
- Tanzania: 1 point
The outcome of Ghana vs Tanzania could significantly impact the final standings and determine which teams advance alongside the group leaders.
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By Kunle Solaja.
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has been postponed, with Africa’s football governing body announcing new dates for the tournament in Morocco.
The Confederation of African Football confirmed that the 2026 edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) will now take place from 25 July to 16 August 2026, instead of the earlier scheduled dates of 17 March to 3 April 2026.
Morocco was awarded the hosting rights for the continental showpiece in October 2024, with preparations already underway for what is expected to be one of the biggest editions of the competition. It doubles as the qualification tournament for the Women’s World Cup, as the top four finishers will feature in the global event.
CAF said the decision to move the tournament followed consultations with FIFA and other key stakeholders.
In a statement, CAF explained that the adjustment was made “to ensure the success of this important women’s competition, in the light of certain unforeseen circumstances.”
Although the organisation did not elaborate on the nature of those circumstances, the rescheduling shifts the tournament to the traditional mid-year international football window, which is often more favourable for player availability and logistics.
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is the continent’s flagship women’s football competition and serves as a crucial platform for the development and visibility of the women’s game in Africa.
Morocco, which successfully hosted the 2022 edition of the tournament, is expected to leverage its modern stadium infrastructure and growing reputation as a major football events destination to deliver another high-profile competition.
CAF expressed confidence that the revised schedule will allow all stakeholders to adequately prepare for the tournament.
“Preparations for the WAFCON 2026 are underway, and all the parties are confident that it will be very successful,” the governing body stated.
The tournament will bring together Africa’s top women’s national teams competing for continental supremacy, with the rescheduling expected to give organisers additional time to ensure optimal preparations for the event.
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The Confederation of African Football has announced that it will issue an official communication within the next 48 hours regarding the situation surrounding the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026.
In a brief message posted on social media, CAF indicated that the matter has been under extensive discussion in recent weeks and is currently receiving urgent attention at the highest levels of the organisation.
“CAF will communicate within the next 48 hours on the situation regarding the #TotalEnergiesWAFCON26. There have been several discussions over the past weeks. The matter is receiving urgent and high-level attention,” the confederation stated.
Although CAF did not provide specific details about the issue under review, the statement suggests that senior officials within the continental governing body are working toward a resolution.
The development has sparked anticipation across the African football community, particularly among national teams preparing for the women’s continental championship.
The Confederation of African Football is expected to clarify the circumstances and outline the next steps for the tournament when it releases its official update within the stipulated timeframe.
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Reigning African champions Nigeria produced a commanding response, defeating Cameroon 3–1 on Tuesday in the second of their pre-WAFCON international friendlies in Yaounde.
Three days after suffering a narrow 1–0 loss at the Military Stadium, the Super Falcons returned to the same venue. They delivered a far more assured performance, underlining their pedigree as perennial continental powerhouses.
Head Coach Justin Madugu rang the changes, making seven alterations to the starting line-up that featured in Saturday’s defeat. However, it was Cameroon who struck first again, netting in the seventh minute to momentarily raise concerns of a repeat setback.
Nigeria responded with composure and growing authority.
Forward Chinwendu Ihezuo restored parity in the 32nd minute, rising above her marker to power home a header from a well-delivered cross by Rinsola Babajide. The equaliser settled the Falcons, who began to dictate tempo and press with greater coordination.
Just before the break, the comeback was completed. After a scramble inside the Cameroonian box, Babajide reacted quickest to fire home in the 43rd minute, turning provider into scorer to give Nigeria a 2–1 lead at halftime.
Madugu’s reshaped midfield proved decisive, pressing higher up the pitch, shutting down central channels and forcing the Lionesses into speculative long balls.
The Falcons extended their advantage in the 64th minute. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, influential down the right flank, delivered a teasing cross into the penalty area. Michelle Alozie attacked the ball with conviction, launching into a flying header that made it 3–1 and effectively sealed the contest.
Both sides treated the two-match series as crucial preparation for the 14th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to take place in Morocco from March 17 to April 3.
For Nigeria, the emphatic victory not only avenged Saturday’s defeat but also reaffirmed their status as Africa’s benchmark in women’s football heading into the continental showpiece.
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