Reigning African Champions South Africa as well as neighbours Zambia have received byes for the first round of the 2023 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers, following the draw recently (6 July 2023) in Rabat.
Morocco are the hosts again in 2024.
As runners up in 2022 after they lost to the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana in the final last year, their second-place spot will be occupied by Zambia who finished third.
The first round takes place between the 18th and 26th of September 2023.
The 13th edition of the WAFCON will feature 12 nations – extended from eight.
Forty-two teams in total will participate in the qualifying rounds, and with South Africa and Zambia exempted, there will be 40 countries in the two-legged first round.
The remaining 20 will be joined by Desiree Ellis’ charges and the Copper Queens – and from the 22, there will be 11 spots to fight.
Hosts Morocco will join the winners to complete the dozen for the tournament.
The second and final round of the qualifiers will be played from the 27th of November to the 5th of December – with South Africa taking on the victors between Eswatini and Burkina Faso, while the Copper Queens will face either Angola or Sudan.
In the first round, Senegal and Mozambique will do battle, while South Sudan goes toe to toe with Egypt.
The Super Falcons of Nigeria are up against Sao Tome and Principe with the Democratic Republic of Congo playing Benin. Cape Verde have been set up against Liberia, while Algeria have a date with Uganda.
Ghana kick off their campaign against Rwanda, and Togo lies in wait for Djibouti.
Namibia takes on the Gambia and a tough duel is expected between Cameroon and Kenya, as well as in the clash between Gabon and Botswana.
Tunisia and Guinea Bissau will test their strength against Niger and Congo respectively.
Morocco 2023 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers FIRST ROUND FIXTURES:
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Egypt vs South Sudan
- Central African Republic vs Mali
- Guinea vs Mauritius
- Nigeria vs São Tome
- Cape Verde vs Liberia
- Uganda vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Ethiopia
- Equatorial Guinea vs Libya
- DR Congo vs Benin
- Côte D’Ivoire vs Tanzania
- Djibouti vs Togo
- Rwanda vs Ghana
- Gambia vs Namibia
- Cameroon vs Kenya
- Gabon vs Botswana
- Tunisia vs Niger
- Guinea Bissau vs Congo
- Angola vs Sudan
- Eswatini vs Burkina Faso
Morocco 2023 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers SECOND ROUND FIXTURES:
The 2024 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nation will be the 15th edition of the biennial tournament.
Morocco become the first nation to host back to back competitions after welcoming the continental women’s football showpiece in 2022.
The dates for the tournament in 2024 are yet to be announced.
By Matlhomola Morake
