South Africa, the Fairest of them all
While Banyana Banyana failed to retain their continental title, they leave the 13th TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a highly symbolic distinction: the Fair Play Award. With a total of 510 points awarded by the Technical Study Group based on rigorous criteria; on-field behaviour, respect for opponents and officials, and positive commitment – South Africa once again set an example.
An Exemplary Team On and Off the Pitch
This award recognizes the discipline, sportsmanship, and spirit of Desiree Ellis’s players, key figures in African Women’s Football for over a decade. Both on and off the pitch, the South Africans distinguished themselves with their impeccable behaviour. There were few fouls, no excessive protests, and a consistent respect for the game and its rules. Even in the most tense moments of their journey – such as the quarterfinal against Senegal or the semifinal against Nigeria – Refiloe Jane’s teammates maintained their composure. This attitude undoubtedly contributed to the awarding of this prize, which honours teams that have placed sporting ethics at the heart of their approach.
A performance worthy of the greats
On the sporting front, South Africa once again lived up to their reputation. Placed in Group C, Banyana Banyana began their tournament with a controlled victory against Ghana 2-0, before being held to a 1-1 draw by Tanzania. But the South Africans were able to bounce back, winning against Mali 4-0, thus securing their place in the quarterfinals.
The next stage was marked by a close match against Senegal (0-0; 4-1 on penalties), where the team’s tactical intelligence and composure made the difference. Facing Nigeria, the South Africans lost 2-1 in a heated atmosphere at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca. Despite the disappointment, they were able to acknowledge Nigeria’s victory with dignity, once again demonstrating their exemplary nature.
A culture of respect rooted in their DNA
This is not the first time South Africa have been recognized for its behaviour. Under the leadership of Dr Desiree Ellis, the former captain turned coach and three-time winner of the Best African Women’s Coach Award, the Banyana Banyana have forged a culture of collective effort, respect, and solidarity.
Rasheedat Ajibade named WAFCON 2024 Best Player
She came. She saw. She conquered. Rasheedat Ajibade is the TotalEnergies WAFCON 2024 Woman of the Tournament after guiding Nigeria to their 10th record-extending title.
Captain fantastic in every aspect, the 25-year-old Ajibade has been instrumental in inspiring the Super Falcons to a historic achievement – winning 10 of 13 editions. Magical even.
From the opening whistle to the final game, she stood tall even when the odds looked like they were against her. Just like the leader that she is, she displayed her relentlessness and embraced the moment and never looked back.
When she was invited to the photoshoot with the new WAFCON trophy prior to the start of the tournament at the iconic Hassan II Tower, she looked at it and promised herself that Nigeria would lift this beautiful crown. It is that will to gather her troops every time that they walked onto the field that led her to this moment – the moment where Nigeria once again, conquered Africa.
From strength to strength
Vocal on and off the field, Ajibade has shown her quality every time that she has stepped onto the field of play. The blue-haired girl from Lagos poured her heart into this campaign, often seen urging her teammates to stay locked in even if it helps that they are already motivated.
When her team needed a spark, she lit it. In whatever role she was assigned, she scanned for spaces occasionally, made passes in the tighest of angles and kept Nigeria’s opponents guessing. She exploited the athleticism of her team in ways that came face-to-face with the weaknesses of their opponents and with that, she dictated the tempo of each game.
She earned three Woman of the Match Awards against Botswana, Zambia and South Africa while finding the back of the net once – a penalty against South Africa’s Andile Dlamini who was yet to score until that point. This is the second time that Ajibade is being awarded at the WAFCON after she walked away with the Joint Top Scorer Award at the 2022 edition – tied with Ghizlane Chebbak of Morocco and South Africa’s Hildah Magaia.
Legacy attained
For Ajibade, two TotalEnergies WAFCON titles in the bag and a silver medal on top of the individual awards, this is the stuff of dreams. The stage was set in Morocco and this time, the Nigerians achieved their revenge. The Atlas Lionesses had stunned the Super Falcons in the semifinals three years ago (5-4 penalties; 1-1) after the latter went down by two players.
As Ajibade received her award inside the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, emotional after this achievement, she appreciated the recognition. An inspiration to many a girl in Africa and the world, Ajibade continues to write her own chapter in a sea of success at home and abroad.
Back-to-back WAFCON Golden Boots for Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak
Ghizlane Chebbak has once again etched her name in African football history by securing the Golden Boot at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024—three years after her first.
The Moroccan captain, who found the net five times during the tournament, emerged as the competition’s top scorer for a second consecutive edition, capping off a brilliant campaign on home turf with the prestigious PUMA Golden Boot award.
Now 34, Chebbak continues to lead by example, following in the footsteps of her father, Larbi Chebbak, a 1976 Africa Cup of Nations winner with Morocco.
But where her father left a mark in the men’s game, Ghizlane is rewriting history in the women’s edition—establishing herself as an enduring icon of Moroccan football.
Commanding from the outset
Chebbak wasted no time asserting her dominance at the tournament. In Morocco’s group stage opener against Zambia, she delivered a commanding performance before truly stealing the spotlight in the clash against the Democratic Republic of Congo, where she netted a clinical hat-trick.
Her masterful combination of positioning, technique and composure put the opposition on the back foot. It was a demonstration of experience fused with instinct—showing why she remains such a critical part of Jorge Vilda’s setup.
Even in matches where she didn’t get on the scoresheet, such as against Mali and Ghana, Chebbak’s presence was palpable.
Whether through her link-up play, movement, or vocal leadership, she left her imprint on every encounter.
Making her mark in the final
On the grandest stage of all—the final against Nigeria in Rabat—Chebbak delivered again. Just 13 minutes in, she picked up a ball on the edge of the area, controlled it effortlessly, and unleashed a shot that flew past Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie into the bottom corner.
It was a moment that electrified the crowd at the Stade Olympique and gave Morocco the early lead in what would become a tense five-goal thriller.
While Morocco ultimately fell short, losing 3-2 to the Super Falcons, Chebbak’s goal was a reminder of her quality and big-game temperament.
A place in the record books
By claiming the PUMA Golden Boot once more, Chebbak becomes only the second player in WAFCON history to win back-to-back top scorer honours—a feat that underlines her exceptional longevity and consistency.
Her impact goes beyond statistics. On and off the pitch, Chebbak has grown into the heartbeat of Moroccan women’s football.
She is a mentor to younger players, a symbol of the game’s evolution in the country, and a beacon of hope for aspiring female footballers across Africa.
As Morocco continues to invest in the women’s game, Chebbak’s legacy is already well-established. And with performances like these, she’s showing no signs of slowing down.
Chiamaka Nnadozie crowned Best Goalkeeper at WAFCON 2024
Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie has been officially named the Best Goalkeeper of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2024, after a string of commanding performances helped guide the Super Falcons to the final of the tournament.
Nnadozie was a cornerstone of Nigeria’s success throughout the competition. From the opening match of the group stage, she showed her quality — organizing the backline with authority and pulling off crucial saves at pivotal moments. Her ability to read the game and respond with lightning-fast reflexes proved invaluable as the Super Falcons advanced through one of the most competitive editions of the tournament in recent memory.
As Nigeria progressed to the knockout stages, Nnadozie’s influence grew even stronger. In the tense semi-final clash against South Africa, she stood tall under pressure, making critical saves that preserved Nigeria’s lead and ensured their passage to the final.
Her calm presence in goal and vocal leadership helped the team maintain defensive discipline against top-quality opposition. Her selection as the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper reflects both her individual brilliance and her crucial role in Nigeria’s journey.
This accolade adds to Nnadozie’s growing legacy as one of the finest goalkeepers in African women’s football. Her efforts in this year’s TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON have reaffirmed her status as a leader on and off the pitch, and a vital asset to the Super Falcons. With this latest honour, Chiamaka Nnadozie has not only solidified her place in Nigerian football history but also inspired the next generation of young African goalkeepers looking to follow in her footsteps.
Source: CAFonline.com
