The CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, commonly known as WAFCON, is the premier international women’s football tournament in Africa. Organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), it serves as the continent’s biennial championship and also as the qualification pathway for African nations to the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Although WAFCON is yet to become as popular as AFCON, the tournament is moving in the right direction. We can only hope that the fans will engage more with it, just like they do when they are learning how to place bets on the BetLion App while watching AFCON and other predominantly male-oriented football games.
Since its inception, WAFCON has played a pivotal role in promoting and developing women’s football across Africa, showcasing the continent’s best talent on an international stage.
Origins and Evolution of WAFCON
WAFCON began in 1991 under the name African Women’s Championship. The inaugural tournament was modest, with several teams withdrawing, leaving only six matches played. Nigeria emerged as the dominant force by winning the first title, a trend that would continue for years. Initially, the competition was a home-and-away qualification format, but in 1998 it transformed into a full-scale biennial tournament with a host nation and a qualification phase.
Nigeria has been the most successful nation in the tournament’s history, winning nine of the twelve editions held since 1998 and consistently reaching at least the semi-finals in every tournament they participated in. Other notable champions include Equatorial Guinea, which won twice as hosts in 2008 and 2012, and South Africa, the current champions who won their first title in 2022.
The Growth and Impact of the Tournament
Over the years, WAFCON has expanded in size and prestige. The 2022 edition, hosted by Morocco, was the first to feature 12 teams, reflecting the growing competitiveness and interest in women’s football across Africa. This edition also set new attendance records, with the semi-final between Morocco and Nigeria drawing over 45,000 spectators, a testament to the tournament’s rising profile.
The tournament has helped elevate African women footballers onto the global stage, with many stars like Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria) and Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa) gaining international recognition. WAFCON also plays a crucial role in qualifying teams for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, with the top four teams from the 2022 edition securing direct qualification, and two others advancing to inter-confederation playoffs.
News on the Current Season: WAFCON 2024
The 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is set to be the 15th edition of the tournament, once again hosted by Morocco, marking the second consecutive time the country will stage the finals. Scheduled to begin on July 5, 2025, this edition promises to be fiercely competitive, with 12 teams expected to participate.
Nigeria, the most decorated team in WAFCON history, will be aiming to extend their record with a 10th title after last winning in 2018. However, the landscape has become more challenging with the rise of teams like South Africa, the defending champions, and Morocco, who reached the final in 2022 for the first time.
CAF has emphasized the passion, pride, and power of African women’s football in this upcoming tournament, highlighting the growing support and investment in the women’s game. Fans across the continent are eagerly anticipating thrilling matches and new stars emerging from this fiery edition of WAFCON.
Conclusion
The CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has grown from a small qualification tournament into a major continental event that celebrates and advances women’s football in Africa. With a rich history dominated by Nigeria but increasingly competitive with new champions like South Africa and strong contenders like Morocco, WAFCON continues to inspire and unite African football fans. The 2024 edition promises to build on this legacy, offering exciting football and further elevating the profile of women’s sport across the continent.