The lineup for the 15th edition of the Africa Women Cup of Nations (AFCON) has been finalized, with 12 teams set to compete for the coveted trophy. The list of participants was confirmed on December 6 after the last round of qualifiers on Tuesday, December 5.
Among the notable entries are Algeria, Botswana, Ghana, Mali, Morocco (the host nation), Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa (reigning champions), Tanzania, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Tunisia, and Zambia.
The 2024 Women’s AFCON will take place in Morocco, similar to the previous edition. The dates for the tournament have not been announced yet. Organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the competition showcases the best women’s national teams from across the continent.
Seven out of the 12 participating teams also took part in the previous edition of the tournament. However, some traditional powerhouses like Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire failed to qualify. Cameroon, which had not missed a single AFCON edition in nearly 30 years, was eliminated in the first round of qualifiers. Similarly, Ivory Coast missed the chance to participate after sitting out the 2022 edition.
As for the favorites to watch, Morocco, Nigeria, and South Africa stand out, having reached the round of 16 in the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup. South Africa, the reigning champions, and Nigeria, a nine-time champion, are expected to be strong contenders.
Ghana, a three-time finalist, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, one-time bronze medalists, have made a triumphant return to the competition. The DR Congo ousted two-time champion Equatorial Guinea with a 2-1 victory after an initial draw in the first round.
The 2022 edition marked a historic shift with the inclusion of 12 teams, up from the previous eight. Additionally, it set records for attendance and viewership, solidifying its status as a significant event in women’s football. Stay tuned for further updates on the 2024 Women’s AFCON as more details, including tournament dates, are yet to be announced.
