Missed any of WAFCON so far? We have you covered with our WAFCON power rankings, see how each team is stacking up after match day one and who is doing the early running in the race for Africa’s most coveted trophy.
A tournament has been characterised so far by the searing North African sun as well as plenty of goals and plenty of drama. With the second round of matches starting, the pressure is on.
WAFCON 2024 Power Rankings
12. DR Congo
Within 22 minutes DR Congo were three goals behind and on their way to a four goal defeat to Senegal. The defeat has DR Congo circling the drain in group A already. Should they lose to Morocco and Zambia beat Senegal they will be out of the competition.
It is difficult to see a path out of the group for DR Congo who now face the top two seeds in the group having won only one match since July 2024. The first three goals they conceded were all avoidable, each came from a direct ball over the top of the defence, with defenders parting like the red sea.
It is indeed incredible that DR Congo are represented at the tournament at all. The country has been embroiled in decades long conflict with neighbours Rwanda. A flimsy peace deal brokered by Donald Trump remains the only thing separating the two nations from warring again.
Back on the football pitch, DR Congo rallied in the second half rattling the woodwork to give their fans some hope. The possibility that they can achieve the unthinkable in the coming games seems remote but they have overcome steeper odds before…
11. Botswana
Botswana, ranked 153rd in the world are the lowest ranked side in the competition. Yet still they managed to play out a competitive encounter against Algeria. The Zebras were quarter finalists in the 2022 edition and they gave as good as they got for long periods of the match.
Lesego Radiakanyo Botswana’s number 10 came close to equalising late on. Her sublime effort, struck from nearer the centre circle than the opposition box kissed the net atop the goal. There is plenty still to play for with third and second place up for grabs in the group, though victory on the final match day against Tunisia will be essential. Next up for Botswana is the small obstacle of nine time champions Nigeria.
10. Tanzania
Tanzania are one of the most exciting and fast growing international sides in world football. However their tournament got off to a disappointing start with a 1-0 defeat to Mali. The performance was positive, they controlled the ball well and created opportunities but were let down by little moments. Being caught offside nine times did not help.
Tanzania are a young team epitomised by the fact that 17 year old Jamila Mnunduka was given the chance to start up front. Deputising for their usual starting striker Clara Luvanga, still just 20, who is missing the tournament through injury. The Twiga Stars are returning to the competition for the first time since 2010 where they exited at the group stage without picking up a point.
More is expected from this young side at the 2024 edition but they are still in with a chance of returning to the competition in March. In qualifying for that edition, Tanzania knocked out two time WAFCON champions Equatorial Guinea ranked over 50 places above them in the FIFA World Rankings. They will know what they are capable of when they face South Africa on Friday.
9. Tunisia
There is no more difficult fixture than Nigeria to open a WAFCON competition against. However Tunisia were fortunate to leave the encounter with only a minus three on their goal difference tally. How much that tells us about the quality of Nigeria or the deficiency of Tunisia remains to be seen.
Tunisia face Algeria next, knowing that at least four points from their last two matches will give them a chance of making the next round. The quarter finalists in 2022 were knocked out in qualifying for the March edition of WAFCON by Kenya in a massive shock. Whether they had recovered from that hammer blow to their confidence against Nigeria was difficult to tell.
Two tight friendlies last year against Algeria give us some indication as to what might be to come. Tunisia claimed victory in the first match thanks to a 96th minute winner from Hanna Hamdi. And Hamdi was on the scoresheet again when the teams met a few days later in a 2-2 draw, both played in Tunis. It looks likely to be a close match with little to separate the two sides.
8. Algeria
The Fennecs got their campaign started off with a potential banana skin, the lowest ranked side in the competition Botswana. Quarter finalists in 2022, Botswana would be no pushovers.
Just 10 minutes into the match, a magnificent purposeful run into the Botswana box from Morgane Belkhiter created space for Algeria. Belkhiter cut the ball back to the on rushing Inter Milan midfielder Ghoutia Karchouni and an immaculate first time finish into the bottom corner followed. Karchouni, the side’s taliswoman came close to adding a second but her free kick went wide of the post shortly after.
Lina Boussaha, a tricky Algerian winger nearly scored a second. Her attempt, an inventive effort with the outside of her boot bounced just wide of the upright. Boussaha made headlines when she left France so that she could play football while wearing a hijab, an admirable decision however regrettably necessary. As football continues to become a game for everyone we are reminded how far we still need to go.
Algeria would withstand late pressure from their opponents and hang on for the win. The result means that a draw in their second match against Tunisia would likely be enough to secure a quarter final berth.
7. Mali
Saratou Traore’s goal on the stroke of half time took all three points for Mali on day one against Tanzania.
Mali have a great opportunity if they can finish second in the group, as second place in group C will be paired with second place in group B. That is likely to be Tunisia, Algeria or Botswana, beat them and they will confirm a spot in the semi final. Admittedly, we are looking quite far ahead, but after missing out on the tournament in 2022 Mali will be keen to return to the semi final as they did in 2018.
6. Ghana
Defeat to South Africa was not unexpected but after conceding quick fire goals against the reigning champions it was positive that they were able to stem the flow of damage. Mainly because Ghana may well end up relying on goal difference come the end of the group stage. Ghana face Mali next knowing that a good result will be pivotal to their chances of securing the runners up spot in group C.
Followers of the WSL 2 will be familiar with one of the stars of the Black Queens. Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah who played her football last season at London City Lionesses, plays in the pocket for her national team. Playing against a side where she will be allowed more space than she was afforded against the reigning champions could be the difference for Ghana.
5. Senegal
Senegal have put themselves in an excellent position to make the quarter final, a 4-0 victory means that a draw in either match against Zambia or Morocco is likely to put them through as a best third placed side. The way they played against DR Congo they might even be setting their ambitions a little higher.
Senegal’s Mama Diop nabbed two and picked up the player of the match award. Her goal to open the scoring was struck wonderfully and mystifyingly from outside the box on the half volley. The goal was not unlike that famed goal from Senegalese striker Papis Cisse’s at Stamford bridge for Newcastle all those years ago. Her strike partner Nguenar Ndiaye also scored twice to secure the victory.
Before the competition started Senegal’s two most recent WAFCON matches were against the two sides they face next. Both ultimately ended in defeat in 2022 but victory over DR Congo sends a message that they are ready for a stab at revenge.
4. Morocco
An unconvincing start will have had tongues wagging on the streets of Casablanca and Rabat. Zambia have been a problem side for the hosts in the past but that had not dampened expectations of three points on opening night. Instead they came away with one point, which was very nearly none.
Next they face DR Congo, which is likely to be a far more forgiving opponent, one coming off the back of a four goal defeat. They beat DR Congo twice in late 2024 with forward Ibtissam Jraïdi scoring four goals over the two games, don’t be surprised to see her on the scoresheet again on Wednesday night. Jraïdi was also on target in the opening match and she scored Morocco’s first ever FIFA World Cup goal in 2023.
3. Zambia
Two words: Barbra Banda. The mercurial forward was at her incomparable best on opening night. After missing out on the last WAFCON due to a gender eligibility test that was later denounced as a human rights violation, Banda was back. Within 58 seconds she had stormed through the Morocco defence and fired home to take the lead.
Perhaps less appreciated about her game is her ability to create and her intelligence and vision in front of the opposition backline. All of that was on show here for Zambia’s second as Banda chested the ball down and her first time pass scythed through the Atlas Lionesses defence like a hot knife through butter. Rachel Kundunanji applied the finishing touches.
However it was in defence that problems arose and will continue to arise for Zambia. The Copper Queens gave away a clear penalty after taking the lead to give the home side a boost and a route back into the match. They were the better team on the night, the Copper Queens had double their opponent’s shots on target and triple the tackles Morocco managed.
There remains a feeling that should Zambia have been a little more savvy with their in game management they could have come away with victory, and that will sting.
2. South Africa
The reigning champions were not as convincing as their statement start in 2022 when in their opening game they felled nine time champions Nigeria but once again they got the job done.
Bayana Bayana scored twice within six minutes to put the result beyond doubt. Glasgow City’s Linda Motlhalo scored from the penalty spot as she did in the semi final of WAFCON 2022. The ‘Randfontein Ronaldinho’ has taken on added importance in the side with the absence of Thembi Kgatlana.
Also finding the scoresheet for Bayana Bayana was Jermaine Seoposenwe who scored twice in the 2022 edition. Next up for South Africa is the bottom seed in the group Tanzania, which promises to be an entertaining match up.
1. Nigeria
Nigeria warmed up with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Tunisia in their opening match of WAFCON 2024. Rinsola Babajide nabbed all the headlines with an impressive performance. Within four minutes Babajide whipped the ball into the box finding the purple adorned head of Asisat Oshoala. The Bay FC striker had found the back of the net within the first four minutes of the tournament. Exactly what you want from your star striker.
Shortly after Everton’s Toni Payne played a smart ball to Babajide who turned heel. Striding goal wards with purposeful, powerful and intelligent running she fired the ball underneath the goalkeeper to double Nigeria’s lead. Touchingly the former Liverpool forward celebrated in tribute to the late Diogo Jota. Nigeria’s domination is reflected in the stats, 24 shots with nine on target. Nigeria can secure a place in the quarter final with victory over bottom seeds Botswana.
Did you know? Rinsola Babajide was the first African player to score a hat trick in the Barclays Women’s Super League, netting three in a 5-2 victory for Liverpool over Bristol City in 2019.
All images courtesy of @CAFWomen on X.
