Having already covered the topic of AFCON, it’s only natural to explore WAFCON as well, given the rising prominence of women’s football across Africa. The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is the continent’s premier women’s football tournament, organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), showcasing the best female talents from African nations. And now, it’s almost as popular as AFCON, with people learning how to place bets on the BetLion App for one of their favourite teams. This article delves into the history of WAFCON and highlights the current, slightly delayed iteration of the tournament in 2024.
The History of WAFCON
WAFCON began in the early 1990s, initially functioning as regional home-and-away qualifiers for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for African countries. The competition was first held in a full tournament format in 1991 and was rebranded as a biennial tournament from 1998. Nigeria established itself as the early powerhouse, dominating the competition by winning 10 of the 13 editions held so far. The tournament started modestly with eight teams but has since grown to feature 12 teams, reflecting the expansion and growth of women’s football on the continent.
The 1998 edition remains one of the defining moments in WAFCON history. Hosted by Nigeria, it saw the host nation thrash Morocco 8-0—a record victory that underscored Nigeria’s dominance and heralded a new era for women’s football in Africa. Since then, countries like Equatorial Guinea, South Africa, and others have broken Nigeria’s monopoly by claiming titles, most notably South Africa’s historic win in 2022. The tournament has become a crucial platform not only for continental pride but also as a qualification path to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, raising the stakes and competitive quality each time it is held.
WAFCON’s Role in Advancing Women’s Football
Over the years, WAFCON has evolved alongside the growing attention to women’s sport globally and within Africa itself. It has helped to increase the visibility of female athletes and inspired greater investment in women’s football leagues across African nations. The tournament now embraces modern football technology, tactical analysis, and even includes female coaching representation, pointing towards a holistic development of the game.
The competition also emphasises talent development, with players like six-time African Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria and others gaining international recognition through their WAFCON performances. In addition, the tournament’s prize money and organisational standards continue to improve, albeit there remain challenges in pay equity and resource allocation compared to men’s football.
The Current, Delayed WAFCON 2024
The WAFCON 2024 edition experienced a delay to avoid clashing with the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, but it has now reached its knockout stages with several thrilling matchups. Morocco is proud to host this event, signalling increased ambition and maturity in its women’s football programme since its early, formative days. The tournament features 12 teams, including traditional giants Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, and emerging sides like Zambia and Senegal, showcasing a more competitive and diverse field.
The 2024 WAFCON has further highlighted the growth of tactical flexibility, goalkeeper importance, and technological integration into the game. CAF is committed to continuing this growth, with conversations ongoing about expanding the tournament to accommodate more teams in future editions. This expansion hopes to spur even greater football development at the domestic and continental levels.
Conclusion
WAFCON is more than just a tournament; it is a vibrant symbol of the rise of women’s football in Africa and a beacon of progress on the continent. From its origins as a modest qualifier to a celebrated biennial event attracting thousands of fans and international attention, WAFCON showcases the talent, passion, and resilience of African female footballers. The current edition, despite its delay, continues this legacy and promises an exciting future for women’s football in Africa.
The rise of WAFCON underscores the broader movement towards gender equality in sport and Africa’s growing influence on the global football stage. Keeping an eye on its future editions offers insight into how African women’s football continues to gain momentum and reshape the sporting landscape.