WAFCON
And Now, The Fantastic Four! WAFCON 2024 Presents Fireworks as Heavyweights Clash in Morocco
Only four teams remain in the race, and with each step forward, the stakes soar. After weeks of action, the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco is down to a quartet of continental powerhouses—each carrying a dream, each with a story of grit and ambition.
From Rabat to Casablanca, the semifinals promise drama, emotion, and history in the making.
On Tuesday, the spotlight shifts to two explosive matchups: host nation Morocco face Ghana in Rabat, while defending champions South Africa battle nine-time winners Nigeria in a heavyweight showdown in Casablanca.
Morocco vs Ghana: A Clash of Dreams and Grit
Three years ago, Morocco broke new ground by reaching the WAFCON final. That milestone lit a spark in a nation previously on the periphery of women’s football. In 2024, that spark has become a wildfire.
The Atlas Lionesses are no longer underdogs; they are contenders, driven by a raucous home crowd and the tactical acumen of former Spain coach Jorge Vilda.
Their path to the semifinals has been marked by resilience and flair, best illustrated in their 3-1 quarterfinal triumph over Mali, where talismanic striker Ibtissam Jraïdi bagged a brace to send the Olympic Stadium into raptures.
“There’s chemistry, there’s soul,” Vilda declared after the match. “This team knows how to endure and strike at the right time.”
But Ghana pose a very different threat. The Black Queens have emerged as one of the most determined sides in the competition, playing with a chip on their shoulder.
Dismissed by many ahead of the tournament, they’ve turned that slight into steel. They edged past Algeria in a tense quarterfinal shootout after a goalless draw, thanks largely to goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan’s heroics.
“This team has been underestimated for too long,” Ghana’s Swedish head coach Kim Björkegren said. “We want to shake things up.”
Ghana’s group stage included defending champions South Africa, dangerous Mali, and spirited Tanzania—a gauntlet through which they emerged with four points and the tournament’s best defensive record, conceding just twice.
With Alice Kusi pulling strings in midfield and Chantelle Boye injecting energy into every move, the Ghanaians look poised to upset the hosts.
It’s a contest of opposites: Morocco with the best attacking return (10 goals in four games), Ghana with the stingiest defense.
The atmosphere in Rabat will be electric, but Ghana’s resolve may be equal to the noise. “Playing the host nation is exciting, not pressure,” Kusi said with a grin.
South Africa vs Nigeria: Africa’s Heavyweight Rivalry Reignites
If ever a match deserved to be the final, it’s this. South Africa and Nigeria are two of the continent’s biggest names. Their rivalry is long defined by skill, grit, and championship pedigree. It resurfaces under the bright lights of Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca.
Nigeria have looked every inch like the team to beat. The Super Falcons breezed through the group stage with three wins, scoring four goals and conceding none.
Their quarterfinal against Zambia was a masterclass in dominance—a 5-0 victory that sent an ominous message to the rest of the field.
In their ranks, Nigeria boast some of the tournament’s standout performers.
Full-back Michelle Alozie’s overlapping runs have tormented defences, Rasheedat Ajibade has been a midfield engine, and Esther Okoronkwo leads the assist chart with three to her name.
Head coach Justine Madugu appears to have forged a unit that blends experience with cutting-edge.
But South Africa are not to be dismissed. The defending champions had a slower start, including a 1-1 group draw with Tanzania, but when it mattered most, they dug deep.
A goalless draw with Senegal in the quarterfinals led to a penalty shootout, where goalkeeper Andile Dlamini’s saves proved pivotal.
“There’s a fire, a collective memory,” said coach Desiree Ellis. “We know what this match means. We know what it takes to beat Nigeria.”
Indeed, the Banyana Banyana have done it before—most recently at WAFCON 2022, where they defeated Nigeria 2-1 en route to lifting the trophy.
With game-changers like Jermaine Seoposenwe, Hildah Magaia, and Lebogang Ramalepe, they have the tools to spring another surprise.
Statistically, Nigeria lead the pack: most goals scored (9), none conceded. But the margins in this rivalry are razor-thin, and Tuesday’s encounter could be decided by the smallest of details—or the boldest of plays.
A Tournament of Hope and Excellence
The final four are preparing for battle. The 2024 WAFCON has already written a compelling chapter in the story of African women’s football.
The Moroccans are chasing a maiden crown, driven by passionate support and renewed purpose. Ghana are fueled by redemption and resilience.
South Africans aim to make history with back-to-back titles. Nigeria is the most successful nation in the competition’s history. They want to reclaim their throne. Nigeria also wants to remind the continent of their pedigree.
Tuesday’s semifinals are more than matches—they are moments of reckoning, where legacies will be tested and futures forged.
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Let the rivalry resume! A blockbuster clash is on the horizon. Nigeria’s Super Falcons will face old foes. South Africa’s Banyana Banyana will challenge them in the semi-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2024 on Tuesday. This match renews a fierce rivalry that has shaped the history of African women’s football.
The highly anticipated semifinal was confirmed on Saturday evening after defending champions South Africa edged out Senegal 4-1 in a dramatic penalty shootout following a goalless draw in regulation time in Oudja.
The win sets up a titanic clash with Nigeria — a fixture already being billed as the “final before the final.”
For Nigeria, it is a familiar dance with destiny. The nine-time champions and perennial giants of African women’s football booked their place in the last four with a commanding 5-0 demolition of Zambia in the quarterfinals on Friday.
But they know that they have a mountain to climb, knowing all too well that South Africa, the defending champions, are no longer the underdog in this rivalry.
The Banyana Banyana famously defeated Nigeria 2-1 in the group stage of the 2022 edition and were also crowned champions that year, while the Super Falcons settled for a disappointing fourth-place finish.
Before that, Nigeria edged South Africa on penalties in the 2018 final after a goalless draw, underlining just how tight and dramatic these contests have become.
Saturday’s quarterfinal between South Africa and Senegal was anything but straightforward. Despite both teams creating chances in extra time, the match went to penalties, where South Africa’s experience proved crucial.
Veteran goalkeeper Andile Dlamini emerged as the heroine, making two key saves, while South Africa converted all four of their spot kicks with composure.
With the semifinal now set, fans across the continent are bracing for a high-octane encounter between two footballing heavyweights.
The match is expected to draw massive attention, not just for its sporting implications, but for the longstanding rivalry, national pride, and personal battles that define every Nigeria-South Africa showdown.
“It’s always intense, always emotional,” said Super Falcons captain Onome Ebi. “But we’ve been here before. We know what’s at stake. It’s time to rise.”
Kickoff is scheduled for Wednesday, July 24, with the venue and time to be confirmed by CAF. The winner will advance to the final and take a giant step toward continental glory.
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WAFCON
Born Together, Rising Together: The Harmony of Aline and Alice, twin sisters refereeing at WAFCON
In the heart of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2024, where dreams rise and nations roar, two Rwandan sisters are quietly leaving an indelible mark—not with goals, tackles, or chants—but with flags, whistles, and a bond that defies convention.
Meet Aline Umutoni and Alice Umutesi—identical twins, inseparable souls, and trailblazers in African football officiating. As central referee and assistant referee respectively, the duo took centre stage once again on Saturday night, overseeing the tension-filled quarter-final between Algeria and Ghana in Berkane. And while Ghana emerged victorious on penalties, another compelling narrative unfolded in the background—the story of the only twin referees in the tournament, commanding the spotlight with calm authority and unshakable unity.
Their presence is more than a novelty. It is a statement. It is about visibility, representation, and redefining boundaries in a sport that, until recently, seldom had space for women—let alone women who come in twos.
From Rwanda’s Hills to Africa’s Biggest Stage
Born and raised in the lush valleys of Rwanda, Aline and Alice’s journey began like many others—with a shared love for football. As players in their youth, the field was once their playground. But as the boots were eventually hung, the passion remained. Rather than walking away, they stepped even deeper into the sport—this time with whistles and rulebooks in hand.
“We wanted to stay in football,” Aline said. “So we trained, we committed. And now, we are here.”
Their rise wasn’t without sacrifice. Initially, both trained as central referees, but a gentle nudge from their coach, Mbake, helped them realise that they were stronger as complements, not competitors. “He told us, if both of you stay as referees, it’s like you’re competing,” Alice recalled. And so, Aline remained in the centre, Alice moved to the flank. The synergy was instant, and unstoppable.
“I’m bossy, responsible, I like to make decisions,” Aline explained with a laugh. “But I’m not shy on the pitch!” she added, as Alice teasingly nudged her. Their chemistry is both playful and professional—a blend that’s helped them thrive.
Mirror Image, Different Roles
In a game that demands split-second decisions and unflinching confidence, Aline and Alice provide each other with the most valuable tool—honest feedback.
“Her mistakes are my mistakes,” Alice says. “So I criticize her. That’s how we grow.”
Aline echoes the sentiment: “We tell each other the truth. When the truth brings change, we embrace it.”
Their pairing often sees them assigned to the same matches—traveling together, officiating together, and making history together. “That’s the advantage for us,” Alice said. “We work the same matches. We move as one.”
Proud Daughters of Rwanda
In every match, they wear not just their FIFA badges, but the heart of a nation. As Rwanda’s leading female officials, they carry their country’s pride with grace and strength.
“To represent your country as twins is a pleasure,” Alice said. “We are very, very proud.”
And Rwanda is proud of them too—twin ambassadors of integrity and excellence on the continental stage.
Their most memorable moment so far? For Aline, it was standing in the middle during Nigeria’s group stage clash against Botswana. “So much was going on,” she said. “But we managed. I was very happy.”
Beyond the Game
Off the pitch, the sisters are just like any other pair of twins—with a flair for fashion, friendly debates, and shared preferences. Dresses, jackets, laughs, and late-night conversations. Their life is full, grounded in family and driven by ambition.
Their message to young African girls is simple but powerful: “Refereeing is not only for men,” Alice said. “You can earn a living. You can buy a house. You can help orphans. You can do everything. The field is yours. For us, refereeing is life.”
A Legacy in the Making
In a tournament filled with drama and dreams, Aline and Alice bring a quiet kind of heroism—one built on discipline, unity, and purpose. They may not score goals or lift trophies, but their presence is shaping the future of women’s football in Africa in profound ways.
With every offside call and every whistle blown, they remind us that football is more than a game. It’s a stage where stories like theirs can inspire a continent.
-CAFonline/Sports Village Square
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WAFCON
WAFCON 2024: Political Tension Eased as Ghana Ends Algeria’s Run in Penalty Shootout Thriller
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
A potentially politically charged semifinal at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2024 was averted on Saturday night after Ghana edged Algeria in a dramatic penalty shootout, bringing relief to organisers and fans who had anxiously anticipated the prospect of a high-stakes Morocco-Algeria encounter.
With Morocco already through to the semifinals following their win over Mali, all eyes turned to Berkane for the quarterfinal clash between Ghana and Algeria.
A win for the North African neighbours would have set up a Morocco vs Algeria semifinal—a fixture laden with political and diplomatic undertones given the long-standing tensions between the two countries.
But Ghana’s Black Queens had other ideas. After a tense 0-0 draw in regulation time, the West Africans held their nerve to triumph 4-2 in the penalty shootout, sending them into the last four for the first time since 2006 and defusing what could have been an emotionally fraught North African derby.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) had reportedly prepared contingency protocols in case the politically sensitive fixture materialised, with concerns over fan behaviour, security logistics, and the broader diplomatic context.
The last time Morocco and Algeria met in a major tournament—the men’s Arab Cup in 2021—the atmosphere was tense and highly scrutinised.
With Ghana now set to face hosts Morocco in the semifinals, the focus shifts back to football.
The Black Queens’ resurgence under coach Kim Lars Børkegren has been one of the standout stories of the tournament, and their clash with the high-flying Atlas Lionesses promises to be a thrilling sporting spectacle free from political baggage.
As the dust settles in Berkane, fans across the continent can look forward to a mouth-watering semifinal lineup driven by sporting ambition rather than political subtext.
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