The 2022 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in earnest in Morocco (Saturday, 2 July) with 12 countries lining up to see who will lift the coveted trophy and claim the title of Queens of the Continent.
For the first time in the history of the competition, the tournament will feature an expanded number of teams – with four added from the last time the competition took place in 2018.
The matches will take place in Rabat and Casablanca.
First time hosts Morocco, who are making their third appearance in the tournament, welcome their counterparts from all corners of this beautiful continent:
- Senegal
- Burkina Faso
- Uganda
- Cameroon
- Zambia
- Tunisia
- Togo
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- Burundi
- Botswana
Four teams are making their first appearance in the tournament – Burundi, Botswana, Togo and Burkina Faso.
On July 23 only one nation will walk tall after lifting the trophy.
The team to beat is Nigeria, serial winners after claiming gold nine times in 11 tournaments.
The only other country to have been in the champions circle is Equatorial Guinea who won it on the other two occasions that the Super Falcons failed.
Equatorial Guinea did not qualify for the 2022 edition.
Alongside Nigeria and South Africa, Cameroon are the other nation to have been ever-present at this tournament.
The three-time runners up will be eager to better their 2018 result where they finished third. The West Africans will also be hoping for third straight world cup qualification.
South Africa has for long been bridesmaids – could this be their year?
Banyana Banyana WAFCON history:
1995 – 2nd place (lost to Nigeria)
1998 – (Group Stages)
2000 – 2nd place (lost to Nigeria
2002 – 4th (lost to Cameroon)
2004 – Group Stages)
2006 – 3rd (Beat Cameroon)
2008 – 2nd (lost to Equatorial Guinea)
2010 – 3rd (beat Cameroon)
2012 – 2nd (lost to Equatorial Guinea)
2014 – 4th (lost Ivory Coast)
2016 – 4th (lost to Ghana)
2018 – 2nd (lost to Nigeria)
2020 – Cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic
2022 – ??
Just like in 2018, when this tournament was last played, Desiree Ellis’ charges are in the same group as Nigeria – and they face each in their opening campaigns of 2022, just like it happened four years ago in Ghana.
History will indicate that the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana won the battle but lost the war in Accra – as they beat the Super Falcons in the first match but the West Africans won where it mattered most, in the final to lift their ninth title after a penalty shootout.
A lot has happened since then.
The 2020 edition of the tournament was cancelled due to the Covid 19 pandemic, Asisat Oshoala scored goals as if they were going out of fashion for Spanish side Barcelona, South Africa has a few players based abroad, the Super Falcons have a new coach (American, Randy Waldrum who started in 2020) and Banyana Banyana was the last team to win between these two nations – they defeated Nigeria at home in the augural Aisha Buhari Cup.
Both nations will, however, be the first to admit that preparations for this tournament has not been ideal.
While they may have had friendlies overseas in 2021, this year they had nothing on their schedule leading to Morocco.
The two nations will get the ball rolling in Group C on Monday, 4 July in Rabat.
Banyana Banyana Road to Morocco:
- Banyana Banyana started with a dominant 12-0 victory over Mozambique, then brushed aside Algeria 3-1 on aggregate to confirm their 12th appearance in a WAFCON.
Ellis has also been consistent with the players selected to fly the flag in Morocco as she named 11 survivors from the last WAFCON edition in Ghana.
- Kaylin Swart (GK), Lebohang Ramalepe, Janine van Wyk (c), Bambanani Mbane, Linda Motlhalo, Thembi Kgatlana, Melinda Kgadiete, Andile Dlamini (GK), Noko Matlou, Jermaine Seoposenwe, Refiloe Jane (co-captain)
The bulk of the squad is made of seasoned players, with Van Wyk the most capped female footballer on the continent with 180 appearances – just four shy of Ahmed Hassan of Egypt who is the player with the most matches – 184.
Banyana also has a 100-mile high club in Matlou (166) and Jane (122) while Ramalepe and Seoposenwe are on 82 and 79 respectively.
Other than the winner’s trophy, the teams in Morocco have an added incentive.
The top four will represent the African continent at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup which will take place in Australia and New Zealand next year.
Banyana Banyana WAFCON FIXTURES:
4 July, 2022
Nigeria v Banyana Banyana, Stade Moulay Hassan
7 July, 2022
Banyana Banyana v Burundi, Stade Moulay Hassan
10 July, 2022
Banyana v Botswana, Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium
By Matlhomola Morake
