WAFCON
WAFCON 2024: Banyana Banyana Begin Title Defence Against Familiar Foes Ghana
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.
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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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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Esther Okoronkwo was named Woman of the Match following her standout performance in Nigeria’s 3-0 win over Tunisia in their opening Group B fixture at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday night in Casablanca.
The Super Falcons, led by coach Justine Madugu, began their title quest in dominant fashion at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium, with goals from Asisat Oshoala, Omorinsola Babajide, and substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo sealing a comfortable victory.
Okoronkwo, who came on as a second-half substitute for Babajide, made an instant impact with her elegant touches, sharp movement, and creative link-up play. The 28-year-old forward nearly added her name to the scoresheet, rattling the crossbar with a powerful effort in the 68th minute.
Her performance earned praise from fans and analysts alike, as she added energy and flair to Nigeria’s attacking play in the second half. Sunday’s appearance marked her 15th cap for the Super Falcons, and she remains on six international goals.
Nigeria will next face Botswana on Thursday, with Okoronkwo likely to play an increasingly important role as the tournament progresses.
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